Most Americans know of the Endangered Species Act, many admire its objectives, and some are aware of some of its successes, especially with respect to once nearly extinct but now relatively common and iconic species such as the bald eagle, American bison, and American alligator. The brown pelican is a highly visible sign of the successes of American conservation efforts, including the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act in a sense combines and strengthens elements of earlier conservation laws but targets them specifically to species formally designated as endangered or threatened through a formal rule-making process that is open and responsive to public involvement and commenting. Compared to most other conservation laws, the Endangered Species Act generally provides tighter, more rigorous protection and regulation of the listed species targeted for inclusion in the scope of the act. The agency with the most responsibility for administering and enforcing the Endangered Species Act is the US Fish and Wildlife Service.