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On the Edge: B.C.'s Unprotected Transboundary Species
Nov 10, 2010 01:37 PM
A new report co-authored by Ecojustice, reveals that despite being one of the last refuges for transboundary species like the grizzly bear, wolverine and lynx, B.C.’s laws are inadequate to safeguard these animals.
Ecojustice has ramped up pressure on the B.C. government to introduce a provincial endangered species act.
Despite being one of the last refuges for transboundary species like the grizzly bear, wolverine and lynx, B.C.’s laws are inadequate to safeguard these animals.
On the Edge: British Columbia’s Unprotected Transboundary Species, a new report co-authored by Ecojustice, reveals that 96 per cent of the province’s species share range with a neighbouring jurisdiction. Nearly half of these are at risk of disappearing from B.C. The report highlights the importance of maintaining these species in B.C., but that B.C.’s inadequate patchwork of laws and policies leave hundreds of them vulnerable.
B.C.’s lack of a provincial endangered species law is a serious omission, the report finds, adding that B.C. needs to pass a species-at-risk act as soon as possible. The report also recommends B.C. improve co-ordination of conservation efforts with its neighbours, including planning for anticipated movements of species ranges in response to climate change, which will require connected corridors across political borders.
Animals do not recognize political boundaries. Their survival, however, might hinge on whether those in power are willing to guarantee that the species B.C. shares with its neighbours get to enjoy the same protections they do in neighbouring regions. '
Ecojustice staff:
Susan Pinkus
"B.C.’s species protections are woefully inadequate. Most provinces have stand-alone legislation to protect at-risk species, but B.C. remains a laggard with no such law."
— Keith Ferguson, staff lawyer
Keith Ferguson— Keith Ferguson, staff lawyer
Susan Pinkus
