pro ‧ tect ‧ ed /prəˈtektəd, prəˈtektɪd/ BrE AmE 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.