Species at Risk

• 6 are endangered
• 18 are threatened
• 13 are of special concern

The following  link will download the Ministry of Natural Resources’  Species at Risk in MNR’s Parry Sound District Excel-based tool, last updated in December 2010.  Please check back periodically for updated versions, since MNR will up-date this tool when additional species are added to the SARO list or the status of a species has changed.

Who Decides?
At the Federal Level...
COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) is a committee of experts that determines the national status of native species that are thought to be at risk of disappearing from Canada. Members of COSEWIC are university academics, independent specialists, Aboriginal people or government, museum or independent biologists who volunteer their time and efforts.
www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct5/index_e.cfm

At the Provincial level...
COSSARO (Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario) members review the COSEWIC status reports for those species that occur in Ontario. COSSARO then makes recommendations to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) on the appropriate provincial status of the species. Provincial status designations are then identified on the OMNR's Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List: www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/index.html.


What Does it Mean to be at Risk?
Terms And Risk Categories

SPECIES
Any indigenous species, subspecies, variety, or geographically defined population of wild fauna or flora.

EXTINCT
A species that no longer exists.
e.g. Passenger Pigeon

EXTIRPATED
A species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but occurs elsewhere.
e.g. Timber Rattlesnake

ENDANGERED
A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
e.g. Forked Three Awned Grass

THREATENED
A species that is likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
e.g. Least Bittern

Least Bittern
Photo Credit: Benoit Jobin CWS


SPECIAL CONCERN
A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.
e.g. Northern Brook Lamprey

NOT AT RISK
A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk.
e.g. Pickerel Frog

DATA DEFICIENT
A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.


Why Are They At Risk?

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Think of your neighbourhood and the changes that have occurred since you have lived there. Imagine the changes that have occurred over the past 100 years. Numerous forests and wetlands in southern Ontario have been altered or destroyed. This affects many species of wildlife. Eighty percent of Canada's species at risk are due to loss of habitat. As development increases, habitat shrinks into smaller pieces. The distance between the pockets of habitat can be too far for some wildlife to safely travel. This, combined with development of nearby land and the building of roads, leads to isolated and potentially doomed populations. For example, the Eastern Foxsnake hibernates communally. The destruction of just one hibernation site may seriously impact a local population.

Construction

Direct Exploitation Some of our native reptiles are collected to be sold as pets. This can have devastating effects on a population and is an illegal practice. For these populations to exist, they need opportunities to reproduce. Animals, such as wolves and snakes are sometimes killed because of unwarranted fears. The range of the Massasauga has likely been reduced as a result of persecution.

Spotted Turtle Photo Credit: Scott Gillingwater

Traffic Mortality Cars, boats, and ATV's kill thousands of animals every year on our roads and waterways and are especially hard on reptiles and amphibians. Cars frequently kill turtles, especially in early summer when adult females are looking for areas to lay their eggs. Depending on the species, a female turtle may start reproducing at 10-20 years of age and continue laying eggs for 50 or more years. As these females are killed on our roads, the eventual result is the extirpation of the entire population. Wake action from boats can swamp the nests of Least Bitterns, Black Terns and other birds such as the Common Loon.

Brake for Snakes

"Subsidized Predators" Some species have adapted and thrived near people. Fewer larger predators and an abundance of food waste from humans have benefited species such as skunks and raccoons. In many places their populations are higher now than ever before. These animals are efficient nest predators and can have devastating effects on the hatching rate of turtles' eggs.

Blanding Turtle

Chemical Contaminants Pollution such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and furans are absorbed by animals in the food they eat. Animals such as Bald Eagles that are higher up the food chain often accumulate high levels of contaminants. The use of DDT in the mid 1900's almost led to the extinction of the Bald Eagle and significantly impacted other fish eating birds such as the Osprey. Both bird populations are now slowly recovering.

Bald Eagle Photo Credit: Kenton Otterbein

Invasive Species There are now more then 160 non-native species in the Great Lakes. Invasive species lack natural predators and may displace some native species. Invasive species can also bring foreign diseases that negatively impact native species. Be careful with live bait and clean your boat when you move between different waterbodies. Once established, invasive species can be very expensive to control. For more information: www.invadingspecies.com

Zebra Mussels

Helpful Links
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/speciesatrisk

Environment Canada
www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca

Committee on the Status on Endangered Wildlife in Canada
www.cosewic.gc.ca

Royal Ontario Museum
www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk.php

Parks Canada
www.pc.gc.ca/nature/eep-sar/index_e.asp

Canadian Wildlife Service
www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/sar/sar-e.html

Canadian Wildlife Federation
www.cwf-fcf.org

Parks Canada
www.pc.gc.ca/nature/eep-sar/index_e.asp

WWF-Canada
www.wwf.ca

Canadian Nature Federation
www.naturecanada.ca

Ontario Nature
www.ontarionature.org

Trent-Severn Waterways Wildlife
www.waterwaywildlife.com

Funding Opportunities
Environment Canada
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
www.mnr.gov.on.ca/fishing/cfwip.html

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
www.fef.ca

Canadian Wildlife Federation
For school groups www.wildeducation.org/programs/hab_2000/hab2000.asp

Shell Canada
www.shell.ca

Habitat and Stewardship
Living By Water Project
www.livingbywater.ca

Ontario Stewardship Network
www.ontariostewardship.org/ontarioStewardship/home/osIndex.asp

Toronto Zoo
www.torontozoo.com/AdoptAPond

Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre
www.kawarthaturtle.org

Muskoka Heritage Foundation
www.muskokaheritage.org

Muskoka Water Web
www.muskokawaterweb.ca


Species at Risk Reporting
Natural Heritage Information Centre
nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/nhic_.cfm


Legislation
Province of Ontario Statutes & Regulations
www.e-laws.gov.on.ca

Government of Canada SARA Registry
www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm