The future looks bleak for Canada's species at risk. This report takes a strong look at the courses of the current biodiversity decline and of the many inadequacies of the federal Species at Risk Act. But the report also looks at glimmers of hope - species that have been on the brink of extinction but where their decline was reversed through a concerted action between governments and the public.

Canada's Endangered Species at Risk!

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.23-No.02 - Spring 2004

Check out these web sites for more related info:

  • Find out how your ecological footprint impacts Canada’s endangered species:
    http://www.lead.org/leadnet/footprint/intro.htm
  • Check out more about Canada’s species at Risk:
    http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca
  • For a global perspective on the biodiversity crisis visit:
    http://www.iucn.org/news/mbspeciesext.pdf
  • Read the groundbreaking United Nations report on biodiversity:
    http://www.unep.org/GEO/geo3/english/overview/index.htm
  • Get an international perspective on conservation, visit:
    http://www.iucn.org/
  • Find out more about biodiversity and climate change:
    http://www.unep-wcmc.org/climate/index.html
  • Read about the province of BC’s approach to endangered species protection:
    http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/
  • Get information on ecosystems and rare organisms in B.C.:
    http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/
  • Help protect our oceans - Shop responsibly for seafood:
    http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp


Literature Cited:


(1) Wilson, Edward. O (2000). Vanishing before our eyes: Not since an asteroid smacked Earth 65 Million years ago have animal and plant species died out so fast. We have no idea what we are losing. (Biodiversity) Time April 26, 2000 v.155 117 p.28.
(2) Environment News Network. Scientists worn of mass extinction. August 3, 1999.
(3) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2002). Global Environment Outlook 3: Past, Present and Future Perspectives.
(4) World Wide Fund for Nature (2002). Living Planet Report 2002.Gland, Switzerland.
(5) Environment Canada (2002). Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network: What is an ecozone. 02/03/2004
(6) Natural Resources Canada. Ecozones of Canada: Pacific Marine. 02/03/2004
(7) Environment Canada (2003). Species at Risk. 02/03/2004
(8) Depart. of Justice Canada (2002). Species at Risk Act c. 29. 02/03/2004
(9) Carpenter, S and D. Schindler (2002). Ottawa’s species-protection bill: One giant leap toward extinction. Comment. Globe and Mail, March 2, 2002.
(10) Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 02/09/04
(11) Government of Canada. Species at risk Act: the accord for the protection of species at risk. Companion sheet.
(12) Correspondence received by the Western Canada Wilderness Committee from Premier Gordon Campbell, Government of British Columbia, May 10, 2002.
(13) Kate Jaimet (2001). Most Canadians want wildlife protected. News. The Calgary Herald, January 29, 2001.
(14) Campbell, N. A., J. B. Reece and L. G. Mitchell (1999). Biology. Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, USA.
(15) Costanza, R., D. Arge, R. Groot, R.d. et al (1997). The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387 (6630) : 253-260.
(16) Environment Canada (2002). 5. The changing nature of Canada’s spaces and species. 02/03/2004
(17) Environment Canada (2003). Why do some species become at risk in Canada? 02/03/2004
(18) Rick Weiss (2003). Key Ocean Fish Species Ravaged, Study Finds. Washington Post May 15, 2003.
(19) Ross, Peter S.; G. M. Ellis; M. G. Ikonomou; L. G. Barrett-Lennard; and R. F. Addison (2000). High PCB concentrations in free-ranging Pacific killer whales, Orcinus orca: Effects of age, sex and dietary preference. Marine Pollution Bulletin 40:504-515.
(20) Sylvain De Guise, Daniel Martineau, Pierre Béland, and Michel Fournier (1995). Possible Mechanisms of Action of Environmental Contaminants on St. Lawrence Beluga Whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Environ Health Perspect 103 (Suppl 4):00-00 (1995)
(21) Environment Canada. White-headed woodpecker. 02/03/2004
(22) Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Strategy for BC., Canada. January 2004.
(23) Polar Bears at Risk (2002). WWF Status Report by Norris S., L Rosentrak and P. M. Eid. WWF International Arctic Program. Oslo, Norway.
(24) Department of Fisheries and Ocean (2004). Under water world: the Beluga. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/zone/underwater_sous-marin/beluga/beluga_e.htm 02/04/2004
(25) Gorman, J. (2003). For billions of birds, an endangered heaven. New York Times 9/23/03.
(26) Canadian Amphibians and Reptile Network. Amphibian decline issues. http://www.carcnet.ca/english/issues/e_0.htm 02/04/2004
(27) Carolinian Canada. Uniqueness of Carolinian Canada. 02/04/2004
(28) Environment Canada (2003). Canada’s Endangered Desert Country. S & E Bulletin. 02/04/2004
(29) Environment Canada. Whooping Crane. http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/search/speciesDetails_e.cfm?SpeciesID=34 02/03/2004
(30) Monarch.
02/04.2004


Credits


Research & Writing: Gwen Barlee
Editing: Louise A. Pedersen
Map: Chris Player
Design: Sue Fox
Web publishing: Brianna Mersey
Distribution: brian@gold-distribution.com
Thanks to all the photographers.
Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol. 23 No. 2 - Spring 2004.
Canadian Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 0900567 Posted in Vancouver.
Printed in Canada on recycled newsprint with vegetable-based inks. © WCWC 2004. All rights reserved.
Press Run 125,000. Written material may be used without permission when credit is given.
Published by Western Canada Wilderness Committee
227 Abbott St., Vancouver BC V6B 2K7
Tel: 604-683-8220
Fax: 604-683-8229 www.wildernesscommittee.org