There are a lot of endangered animals at risk in Canada. When European first settled in Canada 5 centuries ago, a number of animal and plant species in Canada were gone. A study by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), the one assessing the status of species at risk, tells that over 500 species in Canada are at risk. These assessments are on plants and animals only. They have not assessed fishes and other invertebrates yet.  As the committee studies and acts on the endangered species in Canada a growing number of species at risk will increase every year.

During the start of the 20th century, the Canadian beaver was hunted down because their furs were used as hats and are very popular that time. This made the Canadian beaver an endangered species. Just when the Canadian beaver was close to extinction, fortunately, the beaver hat became outdated in the fashion industry. Thankfully, the government prohibited the hunting of beaver in 1930; they also reintroduced the beavers to their natural habitat where hunters used to hunt them. It is very fortunate that the population of beavers recovered easily.

After solving the problems with the beavers, another problem in Canada arises. Wild plants and animals are being threatened by the environmental pollutions and destruction of habitats. These threats are more difficult to solve compared to hunting. A lot of habitats in Canada are disappearing in a very fast rate. Wetlands, forest and grasslands are being destroyed in a horrific fast rate.

The fast paced wealthy lifestyle of Canada produces a lot of chemicals that are very harmful to the environment. Pollutions created by acid precipitation can destroy so many aquatic lives and can negatively affect forests. Now that the threat of climate change is very evident, the climate of North Canada is slowly changing, and the survival of this is threatening polar bears. There are also other species being brought to Canada through human activities that tend to be invasive to the natural habitats of the species that lives in Canada.

However, despite all these negative happenings to the environment of Canada, there still is good news to compensate it. The Peregrine Falcon and the American White Pelican are slowly recovering and are not considered endangered by the COSEWIC anymore. The Trumpeter Swan and the Eastern Bluebird are other species that are also slowly recovering.

Not only are the COSEWIC doing steps to help the recovery of these species. Simple citizens also help by building nesting boxes for these birds to live in. Also, with the cooperation of the people, the hunting of these birds stopped and they are now helping in their own little ways to preserve these species.

The fast and wealthy lifestyle is a factor that can destroy the environment. There are also other pollutions that are very harmful to the ocean. These are grave threats to the Environment of Canada. However, with the cooperation of the people, as shown on how the birds recovered, the environment can still be saved.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.

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