Which statement about rare, threatened, or endangered species is true?

Rare, threatened, or endangered species are fully protected by law to ensure their survival and recovery. This legal protection means that it is illegal to harm, hunt, capture, or trade these species without special permission, such as that which might be granted through a specific conservation program or for research purposes. The intent of these laws is to safeguard vulnerable populations that face significant threats from habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and other human activities.

In contrast, the notion of partial protection does not apply to these categories of species; they require stringent legal safeguards to prevent further decline. Allowing hunting during certain seasons or limiting protections to private lands are also inconsistent with the regulatory framework designed to protect these species, as their survival often depends on comprehensive protection across their entire range, regardless of ownership.