COSEWIC assessment process

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the status of species at risk through a scientific process. Experts review evidence on a species’ population, distribution, and threats, then classify it as extinct, endangered, threatened, vulnerable, or of special concern. This assessment is based solely on biological data, without influence from political or economic factors. Once completed, COSEWIC’s findings are submitted to the government, which considers them when making decisions on legal protection and conservation actions to help preserve Canada’s endangered species.