This federal Act aims to prevent the extinction of wildlife species, to provide for recovery of species, and to prevent species of special concern from becoming endangered or threatened. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada classifies species as extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern. The Act prohibits the killing, harm, harassment, capture, or taking of any wildlife species that is extirpated, endangered, or threatened. It also prevents the destruction or damage of such species' residences. The Act also seeks to protect critical habitat of endangered and threatened species, and possibly of extirpated species. Management plans must be prepared for species of special concern and their habitats.