In 1967 it was listed as an endangered species, but the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies in the Southern United States stepped in and worked towards its recovery.
En 1967 foi incluído na lsita de especies en perigo, pero o Servizo de Vida Silvestre e Pesca de Estados Unidos e as axencias de vida silvestre estatais do sur de Estados Unidos deron pasos para traballar na súa recuperación.