Species at Risk

within the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region

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CARIBOO CHILCOTIN CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Unit 102
197 2nd Ave North
Williams Lake, B.C.
V2G 1Z5
Ph/Fax: 250.398.7929
ccentre@ccconserv.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Diana French, President
George Atamanenko, VP
Alice Stoddard, Treasurer
Nancy LeBourdais, Sec.
Dave Neads, CCBAC rep
Michael Atwood, Director
Sue Hemphill, Director

If we first look at the world view, with over 11,000 species in high-risk categories (critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable), and seven species extinct since last evaluation in 2000; or internationally compare Canada with other nations (currently we are 7th lowest in numbers of species designated as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable), it may seem overwhelming. However, there have been small changes begun by people concerned about specific species that are bright lights on the horizon. The Trumpeter Swan, often seen on the lakes of the Cariboo-Chilcotin in Spring and Fall, have gone from being Blue-listed to Yellow (not at risk) due to breeding populations in BC expanding and in some areas on the increase! In the broader world picture, the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, thought to be extinct after rats were introduced to the island near Australia in 1920, have been discovered on Ball's Pyramid, a rocky outcrop close to Lord Howe Island (Australia) where a small population was found. In Fiji, the Long-legged Warbler, last seen in 1894 and thought extinct, was found recently in Wabu Forest Reserve. They remain at risk from forest clearance (they need dense vegetation) and mongooses. (This alien species was introduced by the British, from India).

In Canada the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) provide scientific assessments of species at risk, and work to identify and rank the species of Canada. This is an ongoing process that is far from complete. 612 species have been assessed (May 2003) since the committee was formed in 1977! In 1978 17 species were officially designated; in 1988, 178 species; in 1999, 339 species; in 2001, 364 species; in 2002, 415 species; and in 2003, 441 species. In June of 2003 the Species At Risk Act came into force in Canada, for the protection of wildlife on federal lands. Canada works with the provinces under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, which includes recovery teams for the nationally endangered wildlife. In the Cariboo-Chilcotin, recovery teams for the Mountain Caribou and Interior Coho (CCCS sits a member on this team) are currently researching and working to better understand how we can improve conditions for these species.

Designated as "Central Interior", the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region includes, to the east and north, the Cariboo Mountains (home to our endangered Mountain Caribou herds) including the world famous Bowron Lake Provincial Park. In the south, the dry grasslands of the Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park and Churn Creek Protected Area house many species at risk; and to the west, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is abundant in wildlife, including BC's blue ranked Grizzly Bear and the red listed (in the Itcha Range only) Common Pika.

The broad range of contrasting ecosystems, from dense forests to dry grasslands and prickly pear cactus, to the wet cedar rainforests of the Quesnel and Horsefly Lakes areas, and large rivers (Fraser and Chilcotin), to lush green valleys, fjord lakes (Quesnel Lake is the deepest fjord lake in the world), to mountains complete with glaciers, pristine glacial lakes and alpine meadows, are all here in the Cariboo Chilcotin! With it, we have the abundant wildlife and plant species whose endurance of time and human inhabitation are showing some significant changes. We did not plan these changes, or wish them, however, we now know we have to counteract them or suffer further species fading into extinction.

Alien Species

The introduction of "exotic" species to a new environment, has caused considerable stress and hardship on local species. The new species may eat up the food supply, prey on or transfer disease to native species. In the Canadian Great Lakes alone, over 140 alien aquatic species have been introduced from ocean-going ships from Europe.

Many of our common plants are alien: dandelions, ox eye daisy, and Purple Loosestrife. Purple Loosestrife was brought from Europe as a garden plant. Since the bugs that keep it in check in its homeland do not live here, it can take over. Loosestrife will choke out other plants and animals that rely on wetlands, such as birds, fish, turtles and frogs!

In the Cariboo Chilcotin the Blue Listed painted turtle could be harmed by people releasing their pet store red eared slider turtles (aliens) loose in the lakes and ponds.

There are several types of listings of "species at risk", and it can become confusing. Listed below are some of the most relevant to looking at the Cariboo Chilcotin species:

Environment Canada's Species At Risk Act (SARA) Registry and Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC)

British Columbia's Identified Wildlife, referring to those "species at risk" (endangered, threatened or vulnerable) that the deputy minister of Water, Land and Air Protection (WLAP) designates as requiring special management attention under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

British Columbia's Conservation Data Centre rank species as Red, Blue or Yellow for Endangered Species and ecosystems in BC. Specific species details.

California Bighorn Sheep

Species At Risk within the Cariboo-Chilcotin

Red = endangered, extirpated or threatened
Blue = special concern
Yellow = not at risk
T = threatened
SC = special concern

BATS
Pallid Bat (Red listed, Cosewic, May 2000)
Townsend Big-eared bat (Blue listed)
Spotted Bat (Blue listed, Cosewic,1998)

REPTILES
Gopher snake. Sub-species deserticola
Painted turtle
Rubber boa snake (Yellow listed, Cosewic, SC, May 2003)

BUTTERFLY/DRAGONFLY/DAMSELFLY
Monarch Butterfly (Canadian Committee of Status for Canada, SC) (Although occasionally sighted, no host plants exist in this region)
Quebec Emerald dragonfly
Familiar Bluet damselfly

CARIBOU LINKS:

• Northern Caribou Strategy: part of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan [pdf]
• Mountain Caribou: Brochure in Species at Risk series. [pdf 295k]
• A Strategy for the Recovery of Mountain Caribou in BC [pdf 1.9MB]
• A great site for more on Endangered Species (not just for kids, by the way)