Current Issues in Wetland and Wildlife Conservation

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is active in conserving wetlands and their associated habitats across the country. There are many issues of interest and concern that come up to face DUC and wetland conservation in Canada.

DUC has posted information about some of these issues to help you learn more about them. Be sure to check back here frequently to get up-to-date information on the latest issues in wetland conservation.

2010 Gulf Coast Oil Spill

In April 2010, a Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion triggered a sea-floor oil gusher from a damaged oil well that released millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, impacting hundreds of miles of beaches, barrier islands and sensitive coastal wetlands.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is relieved to hear that the oil spill seems to have been stopped due to the “static kill” efforts to seal the well. We continue to monitor the situation.

DUC is deeply concerned about the impacts of the Gulf Coast oil spill on waterfowl, wetland habitat and the communities impacted by this tragedy. The potential exists for the oil spill to have both short- and long term consequences for habitat, waterfowl, and other wildlife on the Gulf Coast.

This man-made disaster, and the risk it poses to the Gulf’s productive wetlands, highlights how critical the need is to protect and conserve our continent’s wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl, wildlife and people.

This event has raised the profile of wetlands and their many values to both people and wildlife, from reducing the impacts of flood, drought and erosion, to cleaning our air and water, to moderating climate change, to storing carbon, and providing vital sources of food and shelter for countless species of wildlife. Ducks Unlimited Canada’s focus is to ensure that Canada’s breeding grounds are protected and restored and provide the critical habitat needed by North American waterfowl.

We are committed to providing our members and supporters with the most up to date information and have established a Gulf Coast Oil Spill Resource Center that is available at ducks.ca (Canada) and ducks.org (U.S).

Avian Flu

The high pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu (also known as Asian strain H5N1) has been found in Asia, Europe and Africa. The virus has affected hundreds of millions of domestic poultry and is receiving great attention within the medical community, because it has resulted in 148 human deaths since the winter of 2003-2004.

Migratory birds like waterfowl are known to carry different subtypes of avian flu. However, the role of migratory birds in the spread of high pathogenic H5N1 avian flu is unknown and is under active investigation in Europe and Asia. The high pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu is currently not present in North America and the probability of its arrival in North American waterfowl cannot be predicted.

DUC recognizes that avian flu is a public health concern, that it is a global issue and that it is continuously evolving. As such, DUC is monitoring developments of the lead natural resource and human health agencies in North America and across the world to ensure that we are current on the issue and responding with the most up-to-date information available.

Information on avian flu

West Nile Virus

Since its arrival in North America in 1999, West Nile virus has spread to most of the continent. While the virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, is primarily a bird disease, it is a concern for human health in Canada. DUC urges Canadians to take proper precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes and the virus.

DUC is committed to ensuring that efforts to control the virus take into consideration the conservation of wetlands. These natural areas are one of many mosquito-producing habitats. While mosquitoes do breed in wetlands, these habitats have many predators that naturally check mosquito populations.

As much as 70 per cent of Canada’s original wetlands have been lost in some areas of the country. Canada cannot afford to lose more. Wetlands naturally filter our water and provide habitat for approximately 600 wildlife species.

DUC has a number of information resources on West Nile virus:

Information on West Nile virus
West Nile virus fact sheet (PDF, 864 KB)
Common Larvicides (PDF, 84 KB)
Conservator article on West Nile virus