Endangered Species
& Biodiversity

Canada is fortunate to be home to thousands of wildlife species and the vast areas of land and water on which they depend. Unfortunately, many of these species are in decline, due in part to human activities. There are currently more than 800 species of plants and animals at risk of being lost from Canada. There isn’t any one culprit, but rather a combination of factors that are leading to species decline.

Thankfully, there is hope. Through efforts undertaken by all sectors of Canadian society, conservation is on the forefront of many people’s minds. The Canadian Wildlife Federation is proud to be part of the movement designed to create a brighter future for Canadian wildlife.

Where do you fit into the diverse world of biodiversity? Take the Biodiversity and Me quiz to find out! As humans, we often see ourselves as outsiders in a world full of wildlife. The truth is, we’re all inhabitants of the same planetary ecosystems we rely on to survive. Humans are as much a part of the biodiversity found on Earth as any of the millions of species that share this planet. Discover which ecosystem you resonate with, and take CWF’s Biodiversity + Me Quiz.

Bats are in trouble. A disease known as White-nose Syndrome has wiped out millions of bats in North America. Added to the effects of this disease, habitat loss, pesticide use and evictions from roost sites produce added threats to already stressed populations.

Bees are important pollinators of wild and cultivated plants, including most flowering plants present in our gardens. Many insects, including solitary wasps, also keep other insect species in check by predating on them – an underestimated service for the well-being of our ecosystems. This service is now used more and more in agricultural settings to control insect pests and is of interest to scientists and industry alike.

The American Eel’s complex life cycle is threatened by overfishing, loss of access to habitat, mortality due to hydro-electric turbines, and other factors. As a result, American Eels are experiencing drastic population declines, including a decrease of more than 99% in Ontario.

Across North America, populations of the iconic Monarch Butterfly are in steep decline. CWF believes that there are thousands of hectares of potential habitat for pollinators available that could make a difference to Monarchs in Canada.

With increasing risks to North Atlantic right whales from entanglement and ship strikes, we are working alongside government and industry to better quantify the risks, and to develop innovative approaches to decrease the threat of entanglement and improve fisheries management measures.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is using research and advocacy to learn more about Chinook Salmon behaviour, to identify important habitats for the species, and to increase support for protecting and recovering the species.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation continues to work with regional partners, community groups, lake associations and individuals to reduce risks to turtles.

CMARA aims to improve marine animal rescue, research and outreach on behalf of the Canadian public for the conservation of our marine wildlife heritage.

CWF aims to address the decline of pollinators worldwide. We are working in collaboration with agricultural producers and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to learn how to design farms to maximize wild pollinators and pollination services.

For more than 50 years, Hinterland Who’s Who has proudly been bringing Canada’s iconic wildlife directly into Canadians’ homes. Re-launched in 2003, the new video series — as well as comprehensive website — serves to rebuild the connection thousands of viewers made with wildlife through the original series.

To help us determine the health of an ecosystem, we can use Bioblitzes. A Bioblitz is a participatory search for species within a limited area and a limited timeframe that takes a “snapshot” of as many living things as possible.

If enough people record their observations in iNaturalist Canada, we can make a difference for Canada’s wildlife. We can build a living record of life in Canada that scientists and environmental managers can use to monitor changes in biodiversity, and that anyone can use to learn more about Canada’s amazing natural history.

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