The Ancient Murrelet is a small, burrow-nesting seabird that breeds in colonies on the islands of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. The population suffered heavy predation by introduced mammalian predators and is recognised as a species of Special Concern in Canada (COSEWIC 2004b). Management activities have been successful, and the population’s abundance at several major colonies now shows a moderate increase relative to about 1970. However, ongoing predator control is required to maintain the population’s status and further encourage recovery to levels seen before the arrival of introduced mammals. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The accidental or intentional introduction of mammalian predators, especially rats and raccoons, on islands with breeding colonies of Ancient Murrelet, is believed to have reduced the Canadian population by at least 50% between the 1950s and 1990s (Gaston and Shoji 2010). Predator control programs were initiated in the 1990s and have been successful at some colony locations, but the population remains depressed below historic levels and recolonisation by predators remains a potential problem (Gaston and Shoji 2010). Where predator control has been successful, the abundance of Ancient Murrelets has increased (e.g., Regehr et al. 2007). Declines in Ancient Murrelet burrow occupancy may be the result of other threats, including oceanographic changes, habitat loss/destruction, oil exploration, and commercial fisheries (COSEWIC 2014b). For information on the legal status of this species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and to view available recovery documents, see the SARA Registry.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.