COSEWIC stands for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. It is a scientific advisory body that assesses and categorizes the risk status of wildlife species found in Canada. COSEWIC was established in 1977 to evaluate the conservation status of species and provide recommendations to the government on listing them under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA).
The primary objective of COSEWIC is to prevent the extinction or further decline of species at risk in Canada by assessing and identifying their level of risk. The committee consists of wildlife experts, scientists, and researchers from federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as from academia and Indigenous organizations. COSEWIC assesses species based on the best available scientific information regarding population size, distribution, habitat requirements, and threats faced by the species.
After a thorough assessment, COSEWIC classifies species into one of seven categories: extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, special concern, data deficient, or not at risk. This classification reflects the level of risk faced by the species at the national level. Once a species is listed, it becomes legally protected under SARA, which ensures efforts are made to protect, recover, and conserve the species and its habitat.
The work of COSEWIC is crucial in identifying and prioritizing conservation efforts for Canada's most vulnerable species, and it plays a significant role in informing government policies and conservation initiatives to ensure the long-term survival and recovery of wildlife populations.
