Species

Canada possesses significant biodiversity, with close to 80,000 plant and animal species, occurring in environments ranging from the desert to the arctic. But, our biodiversity is under threat, largely due to human-induced extinction. As of May 2025, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has 864 species as being “at risk” in Canada. The Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council Wild Species 2020 report indicates that 873 species assessed at the national level are critically imperiled and another 1,245 are imperiled. There has been a 4% average annual increase in the number of species assessed as at risk in Canada. Since the arrival of the first European settlers, more than 30 species have become extinct in Canada. Since 2022, approximately 135 species are considered extirpated (locally extinct) in Canada, with 7 of those presumed to be extinct globally.

All Canadians can take simple actions every day to help species at risk. The Canadian Species Initiative is leveraging the unique expertise of accredited zoos and aquariums to help critically endangered species for which habitat protection alone will not be adequate.

While neither the federal or provincial recovery planning process explicitly considers if ex situ management could play a role in recovery at risk species in Canada, some recovery strategies have noted that this management action could help. The following is a list of over 70 species for which ex situ management activities have been recommended in published Recovery Strategies. For the vast majority of these species, these actions are not currently being implemented. Further assessment following the IUCN’s Guidelines for the Use of Ex Situ Management, specifically implemented through CPSG’s Ex Situ Conservation Assessment workshop and Population Viability Analysis would likely expand the list of roles, and species that need the support of the accredited zoo and aquarium community.