Simply harassing an endangered animal can carry a fine of $10,500.
Thus, the penalties for violating the Endangered Species Act and illegally interacting with a member of a protected species are very severe. Violators can face imprisonment or steep fines if their actions come to the attention of the Fish and Willife Service. The size of the penalty increases with the number of violations- either the size of the fine or the length of time spent in prison, with a maximum fine of $50,000 and a maximum imprisonment of one year, or a combination of the two. Violators may also incur civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, with the highest penalties reserved for unlawful trafficking in a protected species, or what the act refers to as consciously “taking” (which covers capturing and killing.) Simply harassing an endangered animal can carry a fine of $10,500.