Canada’s wildlife populations in downward spiral: WWF

Wildlife populations across the country are in a downward spiral, according to a sobering new report from the World Wildlife Fund Canada.

Half of the vertebrate species (animals that have a backbone or spine) in this country are in trouble, and within those species the average decline of populations is over 80 per cent.

WWF president, and former Toronto mayor, David Miller said it is extremely serious.

“What the data shows is quite alarming,” Miller told CityNews.

“What that tells us, is that if a species is in trouble, it’s in serious trouble. The ‘why’ is complicated, but it’s clear. It’s because of habitat loss, things like increasing urbanization and paving over areas, and industrial activity in more remote areas. It’s because of pollution, it’s because of invasive species, and sometimes over-exploitation of resources, and of course climate change.”

Miller said climate change “affects everything else,” making pollution more severe and causing wildlife populations to move.

Click here to read the full WWF report.

What can you do?

Plant a garden of native species.

Join a local conservation group.

Collect and share information on ecosystems.

Take ecosystem-based action and bolster the Species at Risk Act.

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