World Heritage Sites

The United Nations body that oversees World Heritage Sites is approving a report that finds Wood Buffalo National Park's place on that list is in danger.

A United Nations body has affirmed earlier findings that Canada's largest national park remains under environmental threats from dams, oilsands development and climate change.

World heritage sites in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Russia are among those that have emitted more carbon than they absorbed since 2001.

Canada's largest national park is now so threatened by upstream development and divided governance that it likely meets the criteria to be placed on the list of World Heritage sites in danger.

Federal documents echo earlier concerns that Canada's largest national park faces long-term threats that could place it on a list of endangered world heritage sites.

One of the world's largest groups of conservation scientists says Canada's biggest national park is one of the most threatened World Heritage Sites in North America. "This is quite embarrassing," said Melody Lepine of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, many of whose members live alongside the park. "It's not looking good for Canada avoiding an endangered listing for Wood Buffalo."