Overview
Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA) has operated for more than two decades, aiming to safeguard wildlife from extirpation or extinction within Canadian territories. The act stipulates that once a species receives a listing as extirpated, endangered, or threatened, it is legally protected from being killed, harmed, or captured. Furthermore, the residences of such species are protected, and their critical habitat must be safeguarded, at least on federal land.
Research Context
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) is a legislative framework established in Canada. Its primary function is the protection of wildlife designated as being at risk. The act's provisions are intended to come into effect once a species has been formally listed under one of its risk categories: extirpated, endangered, or threatened.
Findings
Once a species is listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as extirpated, endangered, or threatened, specific legal protections are triggered. These protections include:
- Prohibition against killing the species.
- Prohibition against harming the species.
- Prohibition against capturing the species.
- Protection of the species' residences.
- Protection of the species' critical habitat, specifically on federal land.