Most of our wildlife enjoy healthy populations and abundant natural habitat. For some species, however, the future is not so secure. Alberta Environment identifies these "threatened" or "endangered" species so that action can be taken to restore and maintain our wildlife diversity.

The loss of habitat is the greatest risk facing threatened wildlife. Human activities like harvesting forests for wood and paper can affect forest species such as Woodland Caribou. Draining wetlands and marshes for agriculture can limit the availability of nesting habitat for Piping Plovers and Trumpeter Swans. Similarly, changing water quality or altering lake and river levels can degrade habitat for species like the American white pelican.

The use of harmful chemicals can have damaging effects on a species, as shown by the rapid decline of the Peregrine Falcon after the pesticide DDT was introduced into North America in the 1940s.