Canada has the biggest continent in the world! The endangered animals are also special!
Many animal and
plant species have become extinct in Canada since the beginning of the 20th
century, and many more are in danger. The threat is increasing as human reach
extends to uninhabited areas, largely due to deforestation and fishing. In
April 2010 alone, four new species were added to the Canadian Endangered List.
Among the endangered animals in Canada are the bobolink, the rusty-patched
bumblebee, the massasauga, the North Atlantic right whale, and the loggerhead
sea turtle. In 2010, there were 602 endangered animal and plant species in
Canada, according to Nature Canada.
Bobolink
The bobolink is a bird
native to North America that is white on the back and black on the stomach
area. Living in grasslands, these birds eat seeds and insects. The bobolink
population is rapidly decreasing through loss of habitat, fragmentation,
pesticide exposure, and mortality from agricultural operations, as they are
shot by farmers, who consider them pests since they feed off crops.
Rusty-Patched Bumblebee
The rusty-patched bumblebee
gets its name from the rust-colored patch on its midsection. These bees are
common throughout Canada as well as in the upper midwest of the United States.
The insects are declining in numbers mostly due to the destruction of their natural
habitat--much of which is destroyed through deforestation and logging.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
This endangered turtle,
which is found throughout the world, has seen global losses in population
worldwide. These migratory turtles commonly become entangled in fishing nets
and have also suffered from marine pollution. In Canada, the decline in
loggerhead sea turtles is mostly due coastal fishing. Loggerhead turtles are
protected by international treaties and agreements as well as national laws.
Massasauga
Most people find the
massasauga--one of Canada's most venomous endangered species--very
intimidating. Also known as the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, this snake is
only found in Ontario and is actually considered to be quite nonaggressive. The
endangerment of the massasauga has mostly come about from people deliberately
killing the snake, since it is easily recognizable as a venomous snake because
of the rattlers at the end of its tail.
North Atlantic Right Whale
The North Atlantic right
whale ranks as one of the most endangered marine animals in the world. Because
of protective hunting laws that were established in the 1930s, the whale has
seen a growth in its numbers; however, in 2004 the population was only around
300 whales, according to Hinterland Who's Who, a website published by the
Canadian Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Federation.
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that's wat a pity, I have never seem these amazing animals， thx for post this for teaching us wat r we missing...
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