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October is Stamp Collecting Month
Canada Post takes flight with Endangered Species stamps

Oct. 1, 2008

To complete the three-year Endangered Species series, Canada Post will issue the final set of domestic rate stamps (52-cents) showcasing Canadian air creatures at risk of extinction.

This year's stamps will feature the Taylor's checkerspot (Ephydras editha taylori), a butterfly named for its checkered black and orange wings on one stamp.. The roseate tern (Sterna dougallii), aerial acrobat of the coastal zones, darts onto the second stamp. The peculiar burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) wobbles onto the next stamp and the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) scurries onto the final stamp in a bright, showy dash. In 2006, homage was paid to creatures of the land (add link to news release) while the second series featured some of Canada's mysterious aquatic species. In 2006, homage was paid to creatures of the land (blotched tiger salamander, blue racer, Newfoundland marten and swift fox) while the second series featured some of Canada's mysterious aquatic species (leatherback turtle, white sturgeon, North Atlantic right whale and northern cricket frog).

"This final release in the three-year series is somewhat bittersweet," says Danielle Trottier, Manager of Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post. "To have had the opportunity to bring attention to creatures at risk of extinction has been heartwarming and incredibly rewarding." According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), there are more than 500 plant and animal species currently at risk in Canada. The homes of our wildlife are withering away at an alarming pace due to human activities like development, deforestation and pollution.

The 52-cent stamps were designed by David Sacha and Karen Satok of Toronto's Sputnik Design Partners and measure 50.5 mm x 27 mm (horizontal) with kiss-cut perforations. Lowe-Martin printed 3 million stamps which will be sold in booklet of 8 stamps. The self adhesive stamps will be printed using lithography in nine colours on Tullis Russell paper and are general tagged on all sides. Additionally, 200,000 souvenir sheets will also be available, measuring 160 mm x 75 mm, with 13+ perforations and P.V.A. gum. The Official First Day Cover will bear the cancel Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and photos of these new stamps are in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free: 1 800 565-4362, and from other countries, call: 902 863-6550.