'We're sounding the alarm': half of Canada's chinook salmon endangered

Prospects for species look dire as federal science body finds that only one of the country's 16 populations is believed to be stable

Half of Canada's chinook salmon are endangered, with nearly all other populations in precarious decline, according to a new report, confirming fears that prospects for the species remain dire.

The report by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada concluded that eight of the country's 16 populations are considered endangered, four are threatened, one is of special concern and the health of two remain unknown.