Over 850 Canadian wildlife species are at risk and need our help now
- Five new species have been added to Canada's list of endangered wildlife, assessed as at imminent risk of extinction.
- Among the new at-risk species are a northern shorebird, an extremely rare peat moss, a rush, and the Valley Grasshopper.
- Due to these new assessments, Canada's list of at-risk wildlife species has now reached a total of 860.
In Canada, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) conducted assessments that resulted in the identification of five new wildlife species at risk of extinction. This assessment took place during their recent meeting held on December 5, 2024. The newly identified species included a population of a northern shorebird, a rare peat moss, a rush, and the Valley Grasshopper, all classified as Endangered due to their imminent risk of being lost from the region. Consequently, the total count of at-risk wildlife species in Canada has reached 860. The Valley Grasshopper is particularly notable as it is confined to the south of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, an area recognized as both the hottest and driest region in the country. The Okanagan Valley is known for its insect biodiversity and has been described as a 'goldmine for insects' with new species discovered frequently, as highlighted by Jennifer Heron, a co-chair of the Arthropods Species Specialist Subcommittee. The Valley Grasshopper was first encountered in the area in 2010, indicating its limited and possibly declining habitat. In contrast, the assessment report also offered encouraging news for the Lilliput mussel, a small freshwater mussel species located in southern Ontario. Its status improved from Endangered to Special Concern, suggesting that the increased search efforts may have provided positive insights into its population status. This dual narrative, of both burgeoning at-risk categories and hopeful status improvements, reflects the complex state of wildlife in Canada. COSEWIC comprises a diverse group of members including representatives from provincial and territorial government wildlife agencies, federal entities, and non-government science members. Their assessments categorically classify species into several risk categories such as Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern. This includes 12 wildlife species assessed during their latest meeting, emphasizing the ongoing need for detailed monitoring and tailored conservation efforts to address the fluctuating status of various species at risk in Canada.