The List of Wildlife Species at Risk currently has more than 800 entries for
Canadian wild life species considered vulnerable; including 363 classified as
endangered species, —190
threatened species, —235 special concern, and 22 extirpated (no longer found in the wild).[1] About 65 percent of Canada’s resident species are considered "Secure".[2] More than 30 wildlife species have become extinct in the wild since the arrival of European settlers.[3]
Species listed on SARA Schedule I receive federal legal protections under the Act, including the protection of individuals, populations, and their habitat from harm. Listing on Schedule I of the act also mandates the formation of a species recovery team and strategy. The addition of species or DUs to Schedule I is done annually by the
Minister of the Environment, based on formal assessment recommendations by the
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), an independent committee of wildlife experts and scientists. COSEWIC assessments and
IUCN designations by themselves are not to be confused with actual Schedule I listings as both of the former have no formal legal status in Canada.[2]
5. Amtyaz Safi, Hashmi MUA and Smith JP. 2020. A review of distribution, threats, conservation and status of freshwater turtles of Ontario, Canada. Journal of Environmental sciences. 2(1) (2020): 36-41.