Why are some species protected by law from being hunted?

Some species are protected by law from being hunted primarily because their populations are small. Conservation laws are designed to prevent the extinction of species that are at risk due to overhunting, habitat loss, environmental changes, or other threats. When a species has a diminished population, legal protections help to ensure their survival and recovery by restricting hunting and promoting conservation efforts.

Maintaining a healthy population of diverse species is crucial for ecological balance and the overall health of ecosystems. Protecting species with small populations allows them the opportunity to rebound and reproduce, ensuring they remain part of the biodiversity that supports various ecological functions.

The other options do not address the reasons for legal protection effectively. For instance, a thriving population does not necessitate protection; large size of an animal does not correlate with its need for protection; and not being considered wildlife typically pertains to domesticated animals or species that do not fit the criteria for regulation under hunting laws rather than a specific conservation concern.