The northern abalone is now endangered in Canada and the horned grebe is now a species of concern in most of its breeding range, reports the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
The northern abalone, a flattish marine snail with a beautiful iridescent shell, has declined in population because it has been poached for sale in Asia, where it is a delicacy. The U.S. federal government lists the abalone as a species of concern. It's a candidate species for listing in Washington.
About 92 percent of the horned grebes' breeding range is in Canada. The bird winters in bays and estuaries along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, and is one of the most commonly seen winter seabirds in Puget Sound. Possible factors in its decline include: drought, loss of wetlands, increases in nest predators on the Prairies and pollution in its wintering habitat. Because of local declines, it's a state monitored species in Washington.
Via Nature Canada.
Northern abalone photo from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Horned grebe photo from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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