Snowy Owls Threatened as Arctic Warming Devastates Prey

According to the 2025 edition of the Living Planet Report Canada, the snowy owl has been designated as a threatened species, with its populations declining by 56% since 1970. This iconic Canadian species is the "poster child" for the report, as the grim findings highlight the devastating impact of climate change on the country's biodiversity.

The report reveals an overall 10% decline in the size of monitored vertebrate populations in Canada from 1970 to 2022, with significant threats including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and disease. The snowy owl, also known as the Arctic owl, is one of the species hit hardest by these threats, particularly climate change.

As the global Arctic warms at three times the rate of the rest of the planet, the snowy owl's main food source, lemmings, are struggling to survive. The warming temperatures and increased freezing rain are making it difficult for the lemmings to access the food they need, leading to crashing populations. This, in turn, is devastating the snowy owl population.

The report also spotlights five other Canadian species facing grave threats from climate change, including the five-lined skink, prairie dogs, sea otters, and salmon. These species are experiencing impacts ranging from habitat loss and reduced food availability to physiological stress from rising temperatures.

While the federal government's commitment to protecting 30% of Canada's lands and waters by 2030 offers some hope, the country is currently falling behind in fulfilling this goal. Experts warn that now is the time to step up efforts to recover wildlife populations and reverse the alarming decline in Canada's biodiversity.