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NS Endangered Species Act: Legally Listed Species as of 2007
The following species at risk are legally protected under the NS Endangered Species Act. Included for each species is the year it was listed under the Act, the status category, a brief explanation of why it was listed, and a link to "Additional Information" on recovery efforts. Please note that species are assessed each year and therefore the list of species at risk protected under the act is updated annually. The up to date list of species can also be viewed at Regulations under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.
Species are listed by status category:
• Endangered | • Threatened | • Vulnerable | • Extirpated | • Extinct
| Status Category | Definition |
| Endangered | a species facing imminent extirpation or extinction |
| Threatened | a species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed |
| Vulnerable | a species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events |
| Extirpated | a species that no longer exists in the wild in the Province but exists in the wild outside the Province |
| Extinct | a species that no longer exists |
| ENDANGERED |
| Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa subspecies) - Endangered (2007) |
 This medium sized shorebird subspecies breeds in arctic Canada and migrates thousands of kilometres between the breeding grounds and wintering areas in south America. This subspecies of Red Knot has shown a 70 percent decline in population size over the past 15 years. In Nova Scotia, Red Knot stopover to feed during their migration south in late summer. Counts and surveys in the province also show a decline. The primary cause of the decline is considered to be the depletion of horsed shoe crabs. These crab eggs are a critical food source during the spring migration north.
Photo by Greg Lasley Additional Information |
| Rockrose (Canada Frostweed) (Helianthumum canadense) - Endangered (2007) |
 Rockrose is a perennial herb with showy yellow flowers and in Nova Scotia is generally associated with the dry, sandy Corema barrens (heathland) of the Annapolis Valley. Only about 3% of these barrens remain. Currently there are about 5500 mature Rockrose plants at seven sites. Nova Scotia plants are to some extent genetically unique and different from the nearest populations in Quebec and New England. Threats to Rockrose include the historic and ongoing land use change: agriculture, housing development, sand quarrying and other forms of development. Also, changes in the natural disturbances including suppression of fire, loss of caribou (grazing suppressing competition) and invasive Scots Pine (shading) have altered the habitat for rockrose.
Additional Information |
| Ram's-Head Lady Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum) Endangered (2007) |
 Ram’s-head Lady Slipper is a small, herbaceous, perennial, orchid of open forests. In Nova Scotia, this orchid is associated with gypsum bedrock and it is found only at six locations with only two to 500 individuals at each site. The species is at some level of risk over much of its range in Canada and Northeastern United States. Although numbers in the province appear stable at present, over the past 75 years, there has been considerable loss of habitat due to gypsum mining and other types of land conversion. Demonstrated threats to this species include; gypsum mining, forestry and cattle grazing. Competition with exotic species, housing developments and ATV traffic are potential local threats.
Photo by Reg Newell Additional Information |
| Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica ) - Endangered (2007) |
 The Canadian population of Chimney swift has declined by almost 30 percent in the past 13 years and geographic area these birds occupy has declined about one third over the same period. In Nova Scotia,the number and the sites where chimney swifts are found has also declined. Many aerial insect eating bird species have declined throughout the Americas in the past 30 years. The cause of the declines is not clear but likely involves changes in insect populations due to habitat changes and pesticide use. A decline in chimneys and large hollow tress that are used for nesting and roosting is also a factor. Large kills resulting from hurricanes crossing migration paths has recently been a serious concern.
Photo by Paul and Georgean Kyle, Driftwood Wildlife Association Additional Information |
| Moose (Mainland Population) (Alces alces americana) - Endangered (2003) |
 The native population of moose in Nova Scotia is limited
to approximately 1000 individuals in isolated sub-populations
across the mainland. The population has declined by at least
20% over the past 30 years with much greater reductions in
distribution and population size over more than 200 years,
despite emxtensive hunting closures since the 1930's. The
decline is not well understood but involves a complex of
threats including: over harvesting, illegal hunting, climate
change, parasitic brainworm, increased road access to moose
habitat, spread of white-tailed deer, very high levels of
cadmium, deficiencies in cobalt and possibly an unknown viral
disease. Moose on Cape Breton Island are not risk as they are abundant and the result of a re-introduction of moose from Alberta in the 1940’s. Additional Information |
| Boreal Felt Lichen (Erioderma pedicullatum - Endangered (2003) |
 This
small, inconspicuous lichen has experienced a dramatic
decline of over 90% in occurrences and individuals over
the last two decades. Boreal Felt Lichen is now known in
Nova Scotia from only one site that includes three
individuals all within an area of only a few hundred
square meters. The primary threats to Boreal Felt Lichen
are atmospheric pollutants and acid precipitation which
can cause the death of individuals and disrupt
reproduction. The lichen can also be threatened by
forestry and other land use practices if they disrupt the
moist microclimate that is essential for the species.Additional Information |
| Atlantic Whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) - Endangered (2002) |
 The
Atlantic whitefish is a species endemic to Nova Scotia,
meaning that it breeds nowhere else in the world. In Nova
Scotia it is found only in the Tusket and Petite Riviere
watersheds and may have been extirpated from the Tusket
River system. Little is known about this species and no
population estimate for the species exists. Past and
present threats to the species include: hydro-electric
development, predation by non-native fish species (e.g.
chain pickerel, smallmouth bass), acidification and
fishing.
Additional Information |
| Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) - Endangered (2002) |
 Lynx
formally occurred in areas of suitable habitat across
mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. The current
population is very small and restricted to two areas in
the highlands of Cape Breton Island. Historic and current
threats to Lynx include: harvesting, competition from
bobcats and coyotes, habitat loss, disease and climate
change. Additional Information |
| American Marten (Cape Breton Population) (Martes americana) - Endangered (2001) |
 The
Cape Breton population of Marten is likely less than 50
animals. At present there is no evidence of breeding and
there has been extensive loss and degradation of suitable
habitat. Marten were trapped extensively throughout Nova
Scotia since the 1700's until the season was closed in the
early 1900's due to low numbers. The species was thought
to have been extirpated from the mainland and several
re-introductions have been attempted. There have been some
very recent records of Marten in southwest Nova Scotia.
However, the status of the Marten on the mainland is
considered "data deficient." More research is required.
Additional Information |
| Water-Pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata) - Endangered (2001) |
 An
aquatic species of Atlantic Coastal Plain species known in
Canada only from two lakeshores in southwestern Nova
Scotia. One of these populations is within Kejimkujik
National Park and is protected. Research has recently
verified that these plants are not capable of sexual
reproduction and the species persists here only through
asexual reproduction. The abundance of this species can
vary dramatically at these sites over time. Threats to the
species include shoreline alteration, human and vehicle
disturbance and eutrophication (nutrient enrichment).Additional Information |
| Plymouth Gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) - Endangered (2001) |
 An
Atlantic Coastal Plain species, known in Canada only from
a small number of lakeshores in Nova Scotia. The
populations here are very small. Threats include: human
alteration and loss of lakeshore habitats, water
pollution, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV's
and other recreational activities.(click image for larger pictures.)Additional Information |
| Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) - Endangered (2000) |
 Three
small disjunct populations of Blanding's Turtle are found
in central southwest Nova Scotia comprising around two
hundred adult animals in total. These turtles are
genetically distinct with behavioural and physical
differences that distinguish them from Blanding's Turtles
in Ontario and the United States. Predators like the
raccoon and human alteration of lake shores (water level)
used for nesting are the major threats to this species in
Nova Scotia. Additional Information |
| Roseate Tern(Sterna dougallii) - Endangered (2000) |
 About
one hundred pairs of this seabird breed in Canada. All but
a few pairs are in a small number of colonies in Nova
Scotia. The size of the population and the number of
breeding sites have declined markedly in the past fifty
years. Predation by gulls on eggs and young, human
disturbance at colonies and coastal development all pose
significant threats to this species.Additional Information |
| Piping Plover (Charadrius melodius) - Endangered (2000) |
 In
Nova Scotia only about forty breeding pairs of Piping
Plovers remain. These birds are dispersed around the
province on seventeen sand beaches. Despite concerted
conservation efforts here and elsewhere in North America,
the numbers of this species remain low. The main reasons
for this include: deterioration of marginal nesting
habitat due to natural events (storms, vegetation
succession), human alteration of beach habitat, human
disturbance during nesting and predation by birds and
mammals on eggs and young.Additional Information |
| Harlequin Duck(Historonicus historonicus) - Endangered (2000) |
 Less
than 250 Harlequin Ducks winter on the coast of Nova
Scotia. The eastern sub-species, which occurs here, has
declined. Little is known about it other than that it
breeds along rivers in Labrador and Newfoundland. This
species is at risk because of its small population size
and other factors including illegal hunting and oil
spills. Additional Information |
| Pink Coreopsis (Coreopsis rosea) - Endangered (2000) |
 This
Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada on
the shores of only three lakes in Nova Scotia. Populations
in the United States are also at risk. Threats include:
human alteration and loss of lakeshore habitats, water
pollution, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV's
and other recreational activities.Additional Information |
| Thread-leaved Sundew (Drosera filiformis) - Endangered (2000) |
 This
Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada in
only five wetland bogs in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Threats to this species include the draining, alteration
and development of bog habitats.Additional Information |
| Eastern Mountain Avens (Geum peckii) - Endangered (2000) |
 This
highly disjunct plant species is found in Canada at only
six sites in Digby Neck and Brier Island. At some sites
the populations have declined substantially or have
disappeared altogether. This is due to habitat loss and
degradation caused by the draining of wetlands and the
invasion of habitat by weeds and shrubs. These invasions
may be the result of nutrient enrichment by large
populations of Herring and Greater black-backed Gulls.Additional Information |
| THREATENED |
| Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) - Threatened (2007) |
 In Canada, this species has shown both long and short-term declines in population. Over the last nine years, a 49 percent decline was observed in survey. Declines have also been observed in Nova Scotia. Reduction in insect food resources has apparently contributed to the decline of this species as with other aerial insectivore. Reduction in habitat availability caused by fire suppression, intensive agriculture and declines in gravel rooftops in urban areas, may also be factors in some regions. Additional Information: |
| Yellow Lamp Mussel (Lampsilis cariosa) - Threatened (2006) |
 A species of freshwater mussel found in Canada on only two
rivers including the Sydney River, Nova Scotia. The
current population is large and apparently stable, but
confined to a small area. Threats are currently limited,
but the very small and discontinuous range of this species
in Nova Scotia makes it vulnerable to pollution and
degradation of habitat. Additional Information |
| Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) - Threatened (2003) |
 In Nova Scotia, the Ribbon Snake exists as
a small, isolated post-glacial relic population confined to
the southwest part of the province. This semi-aquatic snake
is restricted to specialized habitats on lakeshores and other
wetland habitats. Little is known about the species. As such,
it is unique and due to its apparently small population is
susceptible to demographic and environmental fluctuations.
In addition, the species is threatened by habitat loss due
to shoreline development. Additional Information |
| Tubercled Spikerush (Eleocharis tuberculosa) - Threatened (2003) |
 This
Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada on
the shores of only five lakes in Nova Scotia. One
population is considered a distinct endemic form (E.
tuberculosa, forma pubnicoensis) Some populations of this
species in the United States are also at risk. Threats to
this species are linked to: its small, very localized
populations, human alteration and loss of lakeshore
habitats, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV's
and other recreational activities.Additional Information |
| Redroot (Lacnanthes caroliana) - Threatened (2002) |
 An
Atlantic Coastal Plain species, known in Canada only from
a small number of lakeshores in Nova Scotia. The
populations are small and very restricted in distribution.
Threats to the species include; human alteration and loss
of lakeshore habitats, water pollution, destruction of
populations and habitat by ATV's and other recreational
activities.Additional Information |
|
Golden-crest (Lophiola aurea) - Threatened (2001) |
 An
Atlantic Coastal Plain species of plant found in a six
wetlands in southwestern Nova Scotia. These are the only
locations for this plant in Canada. Historically, two
populations were lost and the extant populations are all
under some threat. Threats include alteration of wetland
and shoreline habitat through land use change, water level
manipulation and eutrophication (nutrient enrichment). (click image for larger pictures)Additional Information |
| VULNERABLE |
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco perigrinus anatum) - Vulnerable (2007) |
 Continental populations of Peregrine Falcon have shown continuing increases in population size since the 1970’s up to near historical numbers. In Nova Scotia, the species has recovered in the Bay of Fundy area and numbers nesting may exceed historical levels. This recovery has been the result of reintroductions across much of Southern Canada, and natural increases in productivity following the ban in Canada of organochlorine pesticides (e.g. DDT). These compounds were the primary factor responsible for the historic decline and continue to be found in peregrine tissues, but at levels that do not significantly affect reproductive success. The unknown effects of new pesticides regularly licensed for use in Canada are also a concern.Additional Information |
| Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) - Vulnerable (2006) |
 Cedar is an uncommon tree in Nova Scotia and currently
only 32 stands in five counties have been identified. The
population is fragmented and comprised of mostly small
stands that appear genetically separate from each. Most
populations are different from populations in NB and PEI.
Almost all of the cedar are located on private land and
only one stand is formally protected. In the recent past
stands have been lost to forest harvesting and highway
construction. Ornamental cedars of the same species have
been planted around homes and in gardens; these trees are
not considered part of the native population and are not
covered by the listing under the Act.Additional Information |
| Eastern Lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis chinensis) - Vulnerable (2006) |
 Lilaeopsis is a small perennial herb reproducing both by
seed and extensively by vegetative spread. It is highly
restricted geographically and present in Canada at only
three estuaries in Nova Scotia. Despite this, the
population is large. No declines of significance have been
documented over the last 15 years. It does not appear to
have any imminent threats; however, future shoreline
development or degradation could destroy extant
populations.Additional Information |
| Prototype Quillwort(Isoetes prototypes) - Vulnerable (2006) |
 A regional endemic with almost all of its global
population in Canada . The species is an aquatic perennial
with very specific habitat requirements limiting its
occurrence in Canada to about 12 small unconnected lakes,
9 of which are in Nova Scotia. The species is found in
nutrient-poor, cold, spring-fed lakes. Although several
sites have been shown to contain large numbers of plants,
one half of the documented sites contain small
populations. A wide range of potential limiting factors
could impact the species, including changes in water
quality, boating and shoreline development.Additional Information |
| Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) - Vulnerable (2002) |
 Bicknell's
Thrush is of concern because of habitat change, low
numbers, patchy distribution, and low reproductive
potential. However, little is known about this secretive
species. It breeds in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
and the northeastern United States. In Nova Scotia, it is
currently restricted largely to Cape Breton Island,
although historically it was found on a few offshore
islands in the southwest part of the province. Habitat has
been altered in Nova Scotia over the last century by
infestations of spruce budworm and forest management
practices.Additional Information |
| New Jersey Rush (Juncus caesariensis) - Vulnerable (2001) |
 An
Atlantic Coastal Plain species in Canada known only from
sixteen bogs and fens in south eastern Cape Breton. The
species grows on the edge of bogs and fens. It is locally
abundant in some sites and Nova Scotia supports over fifty
percent of the world's population. Land use activities
that disrupt the integrity of the edge of these bogs could
compromise the survival of this species.Additional Information |
| Long's Bulrush (Scirpus longii) - Vulnerable (2001) |
 An
Atlantic Coastal Plain species in Canada known from ten
sites in Nova Scotia. It is a very long-lived plant that
forms conspicuous circular clones. It inhabits bogs and
other wetlands. The populations have been impacted by
wetland modification in the past and would be susceptible
to wetland development in the future.Additional Information |
| Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta) - Vulnerable (2000) |
 There
may be 2,500 Wood Turtles widely dispersed across river
habitats in Nova Scotia, but information suggests that
this species is declining. Like other turtles, this
species is of concern because even low mortality rates of
adults can have serious population impacts. Threats to
wood turtles in Nova Scotia include alteration and
destruction of river and stream habitats and
translocations of turtles by people. (click image for larger pictures)Additional Information |
| Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) - Vulnerable (2000) |
 An
Atlantic Coastal Plain species of shrub that is found in
Canada only on six lakeshores in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Three of these populations, discovered in the past three
years, are large and indicate that the plant is more
abundant that previously thought. However, there is still
concern that this long-lived perennial may have limited
sexual reproduction in Nova Scotia, where it is at the
northern limit of its range.Additional Information |
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| EXTIRPATED |
|
Eastern Wolf(Canis Lupis) - Extirpated (2006) |
 The wolf appears always to have been rare in Nova Scotia,
although the reasons for its rarity are not understood.
There is no evidence that the species bred here but it has
been suggested that it periodically moved into Nova Scotia
from New Brunswick. Wolves were present around 1786, in
the 1830’s and 1845. Although bounties were offered for
wolf from 1796 to 1846 very few were paid out, further
support for the view that there were very few wolves in
Nova Scotia. The species is thought to be extirpated from
the Nova Scotia since the mid 1800’s.Additional Information |
|
Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus - Extirpated (2006) |
 Prior to settlement by Europeans, caribou were common and
throughout much of Nova Scotia. Their extirpation was well
under way by the 1830’s. By 1905 on the mainland and 1912
on Cape Breton Island caribou were virtually extirpated.
Animals were seen after this; the last one shot on Cape
Breton in 1921. The decline of caribou was the result of a
complex of interacting factors including loss of habitat
through fires and forest harvesting, hunting, warming
climate and competition/disease associated with increasing
white-tailed deer numbers. Failed re-introduction attempts
were made in the province in 1939 and in the late 1960’s.
The closest living relatives of Nova Scotia caribou are
likely the boreal small Gaspé population. These animals
were listed by COSEWIC as Endangered in 2002.Additional Information |
|
Atlantic Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus - Extirpated (2006) |
 Walrus was known to breed on Sable Island but were hunted
for their oil and virtually disappeared from Nova Scotia
waters by the late 1800’s. Although the species has been
extirpated from the Northwest Atlantic (Nova Scotia), the
Mackenzie Delta and the St. Lawrence River, it occurs
widely in northern waters from the polar ice-sheet in the
Arctic Ocean to the Bering Sea, James Bay and the Labrador
coast. It is thought that these walrus are affected by
toxic substances built up in their organs, harvest, oil
spills, and other human disturbances but the extent of the
negative impacts is not known. Occasional stragglers from
the latter population are seen in Nova Scotia waters.Additional Information |
| EXTINCT |
| Sea Mink(Mustela macrodon) - Extinct (2006) |
|
Little is known about the biology of the Sea Mink. It was
only recognized as a distinct species after it was already
extinct. The Sea Mink inhabited the ocean coast,
particularly rocky coasts and offshore islands. The
species range is not known, but is believed to have
extended from Connecticut to the Bay of Fundy, and
possibly to Newfoundland. Its extinction probably resulted
from over harvesting for the fur trade. The last specimen
was taken at Campobello Island, New Brunswick, about 1894. Additional Information |
| Labrador Duck(Camptorynchus labradorius - Extinct (2006) |
 The Labrador Duck is thought to have bred in Labrador. It
had a very limited breeding range and was never abundant.
During the winter, these ducks were seen as far south as
Chesapeake Bay. There are several confirmed records for
Labrador Duck in Nova Scotia. The last living individual
was seen at Elmira, New York, in 1878. The reasons for its
extinction are unknown.Additional Information |
| Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) - Extinct (2006) |
 The Passenger Pigeon was once common in the deciduous
forests of eastern North America and commonly bred in Nova
Scotia. During migrations, Passenger Pigeons were once so
numerous that they darkened the sky. Numbers of Passenger
Pigeons were greatly reduced by market hunting, but this
slaughter ceased while tens of thousands of the birds
still remained, and suitable habitat still existed. It has
been suggested that the colonies may have become so small
that predators were able to have a significant impact. In
Nova Scotia, the Passenger Pigeon had all but disappeared
by the 1850’s. The last individual died in captivity, in
Cincinnati, Ohio, on 1 September 1914.Additional Information |
| Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) - Extinct (2006) |
 The Great Auk was the largest and only flightless member
of the Auk family. It nested in large colonies on coastal
islands. Each nesting pair produced only one egg, laid on
bare rock, per year. The Great Auk bred along both coasts
of the North Atlantic Ocean. In Canada , it was found only
in Newfoundland, on the Magdalen Islands, New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia. In Nova Scotia evidence of this species
is limited to bones found in shell heaps. Great Auks were
hunted extensively for feathers used in bedding, as well
as for food. Their eggs were extensively collected even
the chicks were harvested for fish bait. The last Great
Auk was killed in Iceland on June 3, 1844.Additional Information |
| Eelgrass Limpet (Lottia alveus alveus - Extinct (2006) |
 The Northwest Atlantic subspecies of the Eelgrass Limpet
occurred only on the blades of Eelgrass, Zostera marina,
The limpet has not been collected since 1929. It was first
described in 1831 in Massachusetts and was reported from
Labrador to New York. It is the first maritime
invertebrate known to have become extinct. The limpet's
decline and ultimate extinction have been linked to the
dramatic and extensive decline in eelgrass that was likely
caused by the slime mould Labyrinthula. The plant's
decline caused other repercussions in the marine ecosystem
as well, including large reductions in migratory waterfowl
populations, loss of commercial scallop fisheries, and
alterations of near-shore soft sediment habitats.Additional Information |