Transcript Species at Risk - Two Rivers Wildlife

Species at Risk
Two Rivers Wildlife Park invites you to learn
more about species at risk in Nova Scotia…
What are Species at Risk?

Any animal, plant, or other organism that is
considered at serious risk of extinction

Usually species are at risk due to human
activities

Extinction is occurring at a rate never before
seen in the history of human existence
What are the Species at Risk
Categories
1. Endangered - a species facing imminent extirpation
or extinction
2. Threatened - a species likely to become
endangered if limiting factors are not reversed
3. Special Concern (Vulnerable) - a species
sensitive to human activities or natural events.
This sensitivity makes it vulnerable to harm.
Vocabulary:
Extirpation: Loss of a species from a specific area but one
or more populations surviving elsewhere on Earth.
Extinction: Species no longer in existence
Species at Risk Around the World

11,000 species face extinction

800 extinct due to human
activities

Extinction is occurring at a
higher rate than ever before
How many Species at Risk ?


431 species at risk in
Canada
Over 40 species at risk in
NS


12 species extinct in Canada
5 species extinct in NS
Species at Risk around Nova Scotia
Victoria: 6
Cape Breton
Regional: 5
Inverness: 7
Cumberland: 6
Richmond: 4
Antigonish: 4
Colchester: 4
Pictou: 3
Guysborough: 4
East
Hants: 4
Kings: 5
Annapolis: 8
Digby: 4
Chester: 6
Lunenburg: 11
Clare: 2
Argyle: 11
Yarmouth: 6
West
Hants: 5
Region of
Queens: 13
Shelburne: 9
Barrington: 6
St. Mary’s: 5
Halifax
Regional: 7
 Where do you live in Nova
Scotia?
 How many species are at risk in
your area? Locate the number on the
map.
Why Are Species at Risk?


Usually species are at risk of extinction
due to human activities
4 Main Reasons:




Habitat loss
Over exploitation (i.e. over-hunting)
Pollution
Exotic (alien) species
Habitat Loss
 Habitat loss is the main threat to
species.
 Our need for more and more land for
buildings, farming, forestry and roads
sometimes leaves wildlife without a
place to live.
 Without a place to live a
species becomes extinct.
Over-Exploitation
 Another major cause of extinction is too
much hunting, fishing, or trapping, called
over-harvesting.
 The Atlantic cod was over-harvested, or
fished to the point of being endangered.
Alien Species
 Alien species are plants or animals that are introduced to an area
by humans, either accidentally or on purpose. The alien species
may take over and kill native species by out-competing them for
food or habitat.
 Purple loosestrife, a plant originally from
Europe and Asia is now found across
Canada.
It clogs habitats, and is a threat to
some species who live in these
habitats.
 This is not only bad news for certain
species, but also for the humans who rely
on these native species.
Pollution
 Toxic chemicals are finding their
way into more and more water
habitats.
 Toxic chemicals do not only affect water. Acids,
metals, and other poisonous compounds rain down
on land habitats too, often thousands of miles from
their source.
Why is Wildlife Important
 Everything we have or use as human
beings has its roots in nature, and most of
these in wildlife.
In fact, without wildlife, the planet could
not support human life.
Saving Wildlife
Saving a species that is at risk of
extinction involves several steps:
1. Getting
them put on the species at risk list
2. Passing
laws to protect the remaining
wildlife and habitat
3. Organize
species
recovery of the
Two Rivers Wildlife Park
 During your visit to Two Rivers
Wildlife Park you can learn more
about some species that are at risk
in Nova Scotia.
 Did you know that Two Rivers helps injured
or abandoned animals? The park has a
rehabilitation program to help these animals.
The next few slides will introduce you to
some of the animals at Two Rivers that
are considered at risk in NS
American Marten
 The Marten is considered at risk in
Nova Scotia. You can see this
member of the weasel family at
 Two Rivers Wildlife Park.
 Martens almost became extinct in NS because
of over-hunting. With loss of suitable habitat, it
is likely that there are less than 50 animals on
Cape Breton Island.
Moose
 The moose is the largest member of
the deer family. Found throughout NS,
moose are only considered at risk on
the mainland. There is a healthy
population on Cape Breton Island.

Millie the moose was found injured and
abandoned in 2005. She was successfully
rehabilitated at Two Rivers! Visit Two
Rivers Wildlife Park to learn more about
moose!
Lynx
 Lynx were once found all over NS, but
today they are mainly found in the
Cape Breton Highlands. They are a
species at risk because of loss of
habitat, human pressures, and
competition from other animals.
 You can learn more about this wild cat during your visit to
Two Rivers Wildlife Park.
To Learn More about Species at
Risk:
We hope you enjoyed this presentation about Species
at Risk. To better understand why species are at risk
and what you can do to help, complete some of the Two
Rivers EduKit activities and visit Two Rivers Wildlife
Park.
Graphics and information courtesy of :
Eaton, Samara T and Boates, J. Sherman. 2004 “ Municipal and community
stewardship: new tools in support of recovery of species at risk and their habitats.”
Department of Natural Resources, Nova Scotia.