Hunted to Near-Extinction
Unregulated hunting for hides and habitat destruction pushed American alligator populations to dangerously low levels by the mid-20th century, prompting federal protection under the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1967.
A Full Recovery
Thanks to strict legal protection and habitat conservation, the American alligator population rebounded so successfully that it was removed from the endangered species list in 1987 — one of the Endangered Species Act's clearest success stories.
Millions Living in the Wild Today
An estimated 5 million American alligators now live across the southeastern United States, with stable populations supporting regulated, sustainable hunting and farming programs in several states.
A Different Story for Its Chinese Relative
Unlike the American alligator, the Chinese alligator remains Critically Endangered, with fewer than a few hundred individuals surviving in the wild due to severe habitat loss and agricultural development.
Continued Habitat Monitoring
Even with the American alligator's recovery, ongoing wetland habitat protection and water quality management remain important to sustaining stable populations long-term.
