First ever list of animals and plants unique to Canada released

Canadian biologists have for the first time drawn up a list of living creatures that do not exist in any other country in the world.

The list includes 21 butterflies, 40 moths, 21 mammals and 11 birds.

There are 308 species and subspecies in total, with the plurality of them (105) found in British Columbia.

Quebec has the next-most (57), followed by Alberta (54) and Yukon (43).

Prince Edward Island has the least, with seven.

Nature Conservancy of Canada biologist Dan Kraus said he was surprised there wasn’t a comprehensive list of species endemic to Canada, so he decided to make one.

But, unfortunately, many of them are in danger of extinction or already extinct.

Nearly 40% are critically imperilled or imperilled and eight are already gone forever, including the Dawson caribou and Labrador duck.

“No other nation can protect this group of all-Canadian species,” Kraus said.

“Their conservation is completely up to Canadians. Protecting these species is Canada’s priority in the fight against global biodiversity loss.

He added: “The consequence of our failure to conserve them is their extinction.”