Forwarded on behalf of

YELLOWKNIFE (February 7, 2014) – ­The Northwest Territories (NWT) Species at Risk Committee has released the results of the 2013 Species Assessments.

Every year, the Species at Risk Committee assesses the status of species in the NWT. This is the second year assessments have been done since the Species at Risk (NWT) Act came into force in 2010.

Species assessed in 2013 were Dolphin and Union Caribou and Northern Leopard Frog.

The Species at Risk Committee determined that Dolphin and Union Caribou are a species of special concern in the NWT due primarily to evidence of recent decline in the population, little possibility of rescue from neighbouring populations, and vulnerability to major environmental events such as changes in the timing of sea-ice formation and changes to the thickness of sea-ice. Dolphin and Union caribou may also be sensitive to development activities that cause disturbance and habitat fragmentation (such as coastal shipping, which affects the sea ice required for fall migration).

Northern Leopard Frogs have been assessed as threatened in the NWT. Vulnerable to freezing over winter, Northern Leopard Frogs are restricted to only the very southern NWT where suitable overwintering sites exist. The most important threats to the Northern Leopard Frog in the NWT are from disease, proposed hydroelectric developments, and potential exposure to air and waterborne pollution. Rescue from neighbouring populations is not likely because Northern Leopard Frog populations in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan have disappeared or are at risk.

Details of the 2013 assessments can be found on the NWT species at risk website: www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca.

The Species at Risk Committee, established by the Species at Risk (NWT) Act, is an independent committee of experts responsible for assessing the biological status of species at risk in the NWT.

For more information see the backgrounder attached, or contact:

James Firth
Chair, Species at Risk Committee
Tel: (867) 777-3568
Cell: (867) 678-5356
Email: j.bfirth@hotmail.com

Backgrounder - 2013 Species Assessment

The Species at Risk (NWT) Act provides a process to identify, protect and recover species at risk in the NWT. The Act applies to any wild animal, plant or other species managed by the Government of the Northwest Territories. It does not apply to fish, marine mammals or migratory birds. It applies everywhere in the NWT, on both public and private lands, including private lands owned under a land claims agreement.

The Species at Risk Committee (SARC), established by the Species at Risk (NWT) Act, is an independent committee of up to 15 experts responsible for assessing the biological status of species in the NWT.

Species status assessments are done at the territorial level. The results may be different from assessments done at the national level. Assessments are based on species status reports that include the best available traditional, community and scientific knowledge of the species.

Assessment Categories

SARC recommends each species assessed be placed in one of the following status categories:

• Extinct – no longer exists anywhere;
• Extirpated – no longer exists in the wild in the NWT;
• Endangered – facing imminent extirpation or extinction;
• Threatened – likely to become endangered if nothing is done;
• Special Concern – may become endangered or threatened because of threats and biological factors;
• Not at Risk – not currently at risk of extinction; or
• Data Deficient – not enough information to determine status.