State of Environment Reporting

Wildlife in British Columbia

Percentage of Historic Range in Which Selected Species are Extirpated or Declining

Source: Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2002. The range of Sharp-tailed Grouse was calculated using ecosections; Caribou and Grizzly Bear ranges were calculated based on the distributions of sub-populations.

A number of managed wildlife species are declining or extirpated (locally extinct) in significant portions of their historical ranges. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse are now absent from 22% of the area they occupied in the 1950s and are declining in 19%. Caribou are extirpated or declining throughout 42% of their historical, and potentially greater that 60% if areas of unknown trend are considered. Grizzly Bears are extirpated or threatened in 21% of their historical range.