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According to he U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, about 99% of the species that have gotten protection from the landmark law – like the Key Deer — have avoided extinction. Ryan Kellman/NPR hide caption

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Ryan Kellman/NPR

According to he U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, about 99% of the species that have gotten protection from the landmark law – like the Key Deer — have avoided extinction.

Ryan Kellman/NPR

The Endangered Species Act turns 50 this year.

The landmark law has been successful for decades at stopping extinctions of several plants and animals.

Recovering endangered or threatened species to the point where they no longer need federal protection has been more difficult because of climate change.

NPR's Nathan Rott speaks with Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the agency's plans to mitigate threats of extinction caused by climate change.

This episode was produced by Brianna Scott. It was edited by Sadie Babits and Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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