Species At Risk Population Trends

Recovery strategies are prepared for species listed^[1] under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as extirpated,^[2] endangered or threatened. Recovery strategies assess whether recovery is feasible, outline what threats need to be addressed, outline goals and approaches for recovery, and identify critical habitat. Recovery strategies are followed by action plans, which outline the activities required to meet the goals of the recovery strategy.

Between 2006 and October 2011, Environment Canada developed final recovery strategies^[3] for 52 species. Forty-eight of these species are deemed feasible to recover. Of those 48 species, 14 have been reassessed since final recovery strategies were released, allowing for the evaluation of population trends. For 10 species, current population trends are consistent with the goals laid out in the recovery strategies. 

Recovery takes time:once recovery efforts are in place, it may take many years for populations to respond in measurable numbers.

Trends in population sizes of species at risk compared to recovery strategy objectives, Canada, 2011 

Note: Indicator currently includes species under the jurisdiction of Environment Canada only.
*This may include species where there is insufficient data to confirm population trend.
Source: Environment Canada (2011) Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife Species in Canada, (COSEWIC) Secretariat.

Canada has a two-step process to determine which species require recovery strategies:

1. Scientific Assessment:  The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) provides advice to the Government of Canada on the status of wildlife species.
2. Listing Decision:  The Government of Canada reviews this information and decides whether to add the species to Schedule 1, the official list of species at risk in Canada.  Inclusion on Schedule 1 brings the Species at Risk Act (SARA) into effect.

Related indicators

• Changes in Wildlife Species Disappearance Risks
• Global Trends in Bird Species Survival

Other information

• Environment Canada – Species at Risk
• Species at Risk Public Registry
• Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

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[1] Species listed on Schedule 1 under the Species at Risk Act.

[2] Extirpated means that the species is no longer present in Canada but exists elsewhere.

[3] The Species at Risk Public Registry provides both ‘final’ and ‘proposed’ recovery strategies for species at risk in Canada. A recovery strategy is considered ‘final’ once all consultation and approval processes have been completed.