Protecting species

Kootenay National Park

What is a species at risk?

A species at risk is a plant or animal that is in danger of disappearing if something is not done to help it. In Canada, these species are identified in the Species at Risk Act and are listed by rank:

Extirpated: no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere
Endangered: facing imminent extirpation or extinction
Threatened: likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the threats
Special concern: may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats

Why protect species at risk?

All species are connected. Therefore, the loss of one species can affect many others and have big consequences.

Protecting species at risk helps maintain healthy ecosystems that are essential to human survival. Healthy ecosystems provide:

Food, freshwater, medicine, and other materials
Pollination, flood control, air quality, and other regulating services
Nutrient cycling, soil formation, photosynthesis, and other supporting services
Recreation, aesthetics, spiritual enrichment, and other cultural services

How does Parks Canada protect species at risk?

All species in the national parks are protected by law under the Canada National Parks Act, and the majority of birds are also protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

Additional legal protection extends to species listed under the Species at Risk Act. This means that disturbing or harming a species at risk or its habitat has consequences. Violators of the act will be charged, required to appear in court, and could pay fines up to $25 000.

Essential Information for Businesses and Contractors

Understand your legal obligations to protect species at risk in the park.

Download the Essential Information for Businesses and Contractors (PDF, 9.6 MB)

Parks Canada also creates Multi-species Action Plans to identify, coordinate, and prioritize actions that protect species at risk. Each park has its own plan.

Multi-species Action Plan for Kootenay National Park

This plan outlines what needs to be done to help multiple endangered, threatened, and special concern species in Kootenay National Park. The main recovery actions address key threats to species at risk, such as recreational activity, roads, fire and fire suppression, and invasive and non-native plants, animals and diseases.

Download the Multi-species Action Plan for Kootenay National Park (2017) [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Connected: A Parks Canada Podcast New

All animals and plants are protected inside the national parks, but some need extra help. Connected will introduce you to species at risk that are in danger of disappearing.

From the charismatic grizzly bear to the hardy whitebark pine, we will explore why these species are in trouble and what we stand to lose. Each of the six episodes feature a different animal or plant, and the Parks Canada specialists who work to protect them. Step into the park with us. Connect. Find ways to listen for free below.