Wildlife species assessment: COSEWIC status change definitions

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada's (COSEWIC) status change definitions for reassessed wildlife species

In a higher risk category
Wildlife species placed in a higher risk category after reassessment on the date shown.
In a lower risk category
Wildlife species placed in a lower risk category after reassessment on the date shown.
No change
Wildlife species stays in the same category after reassessment on the date shown.
Changed
Wildlife species moved to the Data Deficient category from a risk category, or to a risk category from the Data Deficient category on the date shown.
Reassigned
Wildlife species that has been assigned to a different designatable unit than previously on the date shown.
No longer at risk
Wildlife species moved to the Not at Risk category from a risk category on the date shown.

Note that status change names definitions were modified in May 2004 as follows: "uplisted" was changed to "in a higher risk category," and "downlisted" was changed to "in a lower risk category." This new terminology was adopted to avoid using the word "list" in reference to species assessed by COSEWIC and thus avoid confusion with species on the Legal List of species at risk under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

"Reassigned" is a new status change definition. Previously, "new" was used to describe those species that had been reassigned to a new designatable unit as well as those that had never before been examined by COSEWIC. Now, the term "new" is reserved for the latter situation only.

About us

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an independent advisory panel to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada that meets twice a year to assess the status of wildlife species at risk of extinction. Members are wildlife biology experts from academia, government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector responsible for designating wildlife species in danger of disappearing from Canada.

COSEWIC secretariat

Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd, 14th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Email: cosewic-cosepac@ec.gc.ca


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