Many of Canada's Endemic Species are at Risk of Extinction

308 endemic Canadian species have been identified in a new study. These species only exist in Canada and it is therefore up to the nation to protect and preserve them. Yet, 90% of these are not considered globally or apparently secure.

Climate crisis is a major threat to Canada's endemic species, as it contributes to habitat loss and the appearance of invasive species. Forest fires, flooding and erosion also impacts the species livelihoods. Furthermore, sea level rise and coastal erosion threatens rare endemic plants and flowers such as the aster plant or the hairy braya.

Most of Canada's endemic species are insects and plants, but a few mammals can also only be found within the country, including the wood bison, eastern wolf and whooping crane. These species have previously had wild breeding populations elsewhere, but these have now disappeared. The few endemic mammals that remain in Canada are currently threatened by overhunting and habitat degradation.

Canada is the only country that can adopt policies to protect and preserve their endemic species. It is thus extremely important that they do so.