B.C. failing to protect at risk species: report

A new report says B.C.'s approach to saving species at risk is not working, and it calls for changes in the province that has the greatest biodiversity of any in Canada.

The government task force says B.C. has so far focused on individual species, trying to prevent extinction of certain species or populations.

They say that approach - with its "unsupportable costs" - hasn't been very effective, and the number of at-risk species in B.C. continues to grow.

The task force makes 16 recommendations, including a revamped ecosystem-based approach, stronger legislation and consistent funding for conservation efforts.

But environmental groups say the task force recommendations are weak and fall far short of the measures needed to protect the 1,900 species now considered at risk in the West Coast province.

Gwen Barlee of the Wilderness Committee says B.C. needs a strong endangered species law to protect species at risk and the habitats they need to survive.