Canada's imperiled wildlife list expands to 860 species, with five new additions assessed as at-risk by COSEWIC during their latest evaluation.
Photo Source: Pickpik
Four species receive first-time endangered status assessment, including a northern shorebird and the Valley Grasshopper confined to British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.
Photo Source: Ingrid Taylar (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Windsor's Ojibway Prairie Complex holds the largest remaining population of endangered Short-fruited Rush, sparking plans for a National Urban Park designation.
Photo Source: Davidvraju (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Community science efforts reveal improved status for three previously assessed species, demonstrating the crucial role of volunteer wildlife monitoring.
Photo Source: Pickpik
Southern Ontario's Lilliput mussel population occurs more widely than previously known, moving from Endangered to Special Concern status.
Photo Source: Pickpik
Northern Bottlenose Whales battle underwater noise and fishing gear entanglement, with Scotian Shelf population critically low at fewer than 100 adults.
Photo Source: Animalia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
COSEWIC's comprehensive assessment covered 12 wildlife species, categorizing 5 as Endangered, 4 as Threatened, and 3 as Special Concern.
Photo Source: jomilo75 (CC BY 2.0)
Potential rapid expansion of housing development threatens the Valley Grasshopper's habitat in Canada's hottest and driest region, discovered in 2010.
Photo Source: Ryan Hodnett (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Seven previously identified at-risk species underwent reassessment, with three showing improved conservation status through enhanced monitoring.
Photo Source: Art G (CC BY 2.0)
COSEWIC chair David Lee emphasizes the need for increased resources and nationwide collaboration to address Canada's mounting biodiversity crisis.
Photo Source: Pixabay