Working Together to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse

Minister Aglukkaq has announced a $2.1 million contribution for the Calgary Zoo’s new captive breeding and rearing program for the Greater Sage-Grouse. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and preserving our rich biodiversity, as seen in the $25 million/year investment for species at risk in Economic Action Plan 2012. This program is breaking new ground—this will be the first time that Sage-Grouse have been bred and raised in captivity in Canada.

This program is the next step in a series of actions the federal and provincial governments are taking to protect and bring back the Greater Sage-Grouse in Canada.

On December 4th, the federal government published an Emergency Order to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse across 1700 km2 of crown lands in Alberta and Saskatchewan.  On December 20th, the proposed Amended Recovery Strategy for Greater Sage-Grouse was published, which outlines the state of the species, provides information about the species and population objectives, and identifies new critical habitat.

Quick Facts:

In 2012, there were estimated to be between 93-138 adult birds in Canada. The population has declined by 98 percent since 1988.
The Sage-Grouse captive rearing and breeding program will cost a total of just over $5 million over 10 years.
The Government of Canada and the Calgary Zoo have been collaborating on endangered species recovery for decades.