COSEWIC is an independent expert panel of scientists, academics and government personnel that assesses the status of wild Canadian species and sub-species, and designates them as follows*:
EXTIRPATED: When the last member of a wildlife species is no longer found in Canada.
ENDANGERED: When the level of a species’ decline places them in danger of extinction.
THREATENED: When a wildlife species is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its decline.
SPECIAL CONCERN: When a wildlife species is particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events, but not yet endangered or threatened.
NOT AT RISK: When the conservation status of a wildlife species does not fall within the other categories.
*Please note that “risk of extinction” for these species is defined in the COSEWIC Wildlife Species Assessment Process.