Directly opposed support for endangered species (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
polar bear
'endangered species' is the definition.
(polar bears are endangered)
'directly opposed support' is the wordplay.
'directly opposed' becomes 'polar' (I've seen this before).
'support' becomes 'bear' (I've seen this before).
'polar'+'bear'='POLAR BEAR'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for polar bear that I've seen before include "Arctic mammal" , "Largest carnivorous land mammal" , "Arctic pack ice resident" , "Arctic creature" , "Beast of the Arctic" .)