Endangered Species Collectible Sheet of Fifteen 32 Cent Stamps Scott 3105 By USPS;

Issued on Oct. 2, 1996 at the San Diego Zoo in California, this endangered species souvenir sheet kicked off National Stamp Collecting Month. Using the theme of "Protect and Collect," the Postal Service selected fifteen lovely creatures from America's land, waters, and skies because of their appeal to young people. The USPS, staying true to its pledge to educate through stamps, sought to increase the number of young stamp collectors, as well as increase public awareness of all endangered animals. This 15-stamp souvenir sheet features some creatures generally known to be struggling for survival such as the black-footed ferret, the American crocodile, the California condor, the Florida panther, and the Florida manatee. It also features less-familiar animals such as the ocelot, the Schaus swallowtail butterfly, the Wyoming toad, and the brown pelican, as well as the Gila trout, the San Francisco garter snake, and the piping plover. It came as a surprise to many that the woodland caribou was endangered and that America has a native thick-billed parrot. Together, these fifteen animals represent the 431 animals listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species list. With 525 plants on the list, the number of endangered species totals 956. Each animal has a story to tell. While some were once widely dispersed, others were confined to niche areas. Now, all struggle for existence in narrow spaces; one, the Wyoming toad, in a singular pond. President Theodore Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge in 1903 to protect the breeding grounds of the brown pelican. Since then, many more have been established. The stamp images are based on photos taken by world-renowned photographer James Balog. His first photograph of the manatee showed a calf in a sitting position - an unattractive and unnatural position for this aquatic cow. Complaints led to the design being discarded in favor of the one shown on the stamp.