pro‧tect‧ed /prəˈtektəd, prəˈtektɪd/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: protection, protector, protectionism, protectionist, protectiveness, protectorate; adjective: protected ≠ unprotected, protective, protectionist; verb: protect; adverb: protectively]
a protected animal, plant, area, or building is one that it is illegal to harm or damage:
Spotted owls are a protected species.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲