8 new names added to Canada’s list of species at risk

The Globe and Mail interviewed UBC botanist Jeannette Whiten and zoologist Eric Taylor on the topic of new species being added to Canada’s list of species at risk.

The collared pika, dune tachinid fly, magnum mantleslug, peacock vinyl lichen, olive club tail, crumpled tarpaper lichen, Okanagan efferia (fly) and batwing vinyl lichen are all recommended for protection.

“We don’t really understand the roles of most species in the natural world,” Whiten said.

Taylor said the potential news listings show the process for protecting vulnerable wildlife at the federal level is gradually improving.

“It’s one of a number of positive signs having to do with species at risk initiated by the current government,” he said.