Species at Risk

Our wildlife is in a state of decline like never before. Nearly one-third of assessed species across the globe are threatened with extinction, and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has listed 585 species in Canada to be at some level of risk—extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern.

From prey to predator, every species lends a hand in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, so when one species is in trouble, it’s often an indication of a larger problem. Many scientists believe that the global rate of species loss is greater now than at any time in history and that the declines can be directly attributed to human activity. Habitat loss and degradation have been identified as the central reasons for population declines in approximately 75 per cent of the species at risk, and factors such as poaching, climate change, invasive species and outbreaks of disease add additional stress. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has gone as far as to project that, should the earth’s temperature rise two or three degrees Celsius above current levels, we will see 20 to 30 per cent of plant and animal species being pushed to the brink of extinction.

Endangered Species Program
Due to the seriousness of the issue, CWF identified work with endangered species conservation to be a priority for 2009. The Canadian Wildlife Federation is proud to be part of the solution to this critical challenge. Our Endangered Species Program will help to conserve threatened and at-risk wildlife across Canada through:

• research into the causes of species decline and the best methods to ensure recovery;
• education to engage the public in endangered species conservation;
• sharing knowledge among conservation organizations on successful practices;
• reintroduction of endangered species into their native habitats;
• programs to help conserve habitat for endangered species and
• work that will improve government policies affecting endangered species.

Advocacy for Species at Risk in Canada
CWF is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Council (SARAC), a national-level group that provides advice to the federal government on species at risk conservation. Through its membership on SARAC, CWF is able to provide input on federal government policy related to issues such as critical habitat protection, recovery planning for species at risk and funding programs for taking action to conserve and recover species at risk.  

 CWF also has observer status in the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Though its participation at COSEWIC’s bi-annual species assessment meetings, CWF is able to stay current on listing decisions that will be presented to the Minister of the Environment. It also allows us to observe the process under which each species is evaluated.