Endangered Species

Why Protect Species at Risk?

Every indigenous species of Canada plays an important ecological role, whether its ecological, economic, recreational, scientific or educational values which are measurable, or intrinsic, spiritual, cultural, historic or aesthetic values that can not be quantified.

The needless destruction of species robs us and future generations of our priceless natural heritage. The extinction of a plant species could mean the loss of a potential life-saving drug. Plants are also essential for developing disease and pest resistant strains of agricultural crops needed to feed people planet wide.

Wildlife related activities, such as bird-watching, photography, hunting and fishing, account for more than $10 billion in economic activity in Canada each year. Other commercially harvested wildlife species contribute significantly to local economies. We need look no further than the examples of northern cod and Pacific salmon to see the economic havoc that the loss of a species can inflict.

Species also make up the fabric of healthy ecosystems — our planet’s life support systems — including the estuaries, prairie grasslands and ancient forests on which we depend for clean air and water. The decline of species, such as beluga whales, black-footed ferrets and spotted owls shows that the health of whole ecosystems is in trouble. When one species is lost, the impacts don’t stop with that one species. Species all down the food chain are affected, causing a real life domino affect.

The Major Threats to Species in Canada

More than 300 species of plants and animals are protected under the Species at Risk Act in Canada. Loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation is most often cited as the number one reason. Clearing forests and replacing natural vegetation with crops, draining wetlands, using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive logging are just some activities that significantly contribute to habitat loss.

Other factors that contribute to species declines include environmental contamination, invasive species, disease outbreaks, over harvesting, poaching and climate change [www.cwf-fcf.org/en/learn/issues/issues-of-concern/climate-change.html].

What’s Being Done to Protect Canada’s Species

The Species at Risk Act (SARA), which came into effect in 2003, aims to protect wildlife and prevent species from becoming extinct. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is a recognized, credible, scientific body that assesses species populations in Canada based on the best up-to-date biological information and thus their recommendations are considered by the government of Canada when producing the list of species at risk under SARA.

What’s CWF Doing to Help Protect Canada’s Species

CWF is a member of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee. This committee is a multi-stakeholder group that consists of other non-government organizations, industry and federal policy makers to assist with regulatory and policy issues surrounding SARA.

CWF is a Standing Observer at the COSEWIC meetings. At these meetings species are assessed and are assigned to a risk category of Extinct, Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern, Not at Risk or Data Defficient. These meetings are held twice a year and enables CWF staff to stay current on issues surrounding potential at risk species.

We routinely submit recommendations for the listing of individual species on management and recovery plans. After all, CWF knows the importance of Canada’s indigenous species and works to protect wildlife populations and their habitats.