In a world where many species are threatened by human activities, Canada Geese are a welcome exception, though the distinctive identities, and even the existence, of some small island populations are far from assured. The species as a whole has flourished in the last 30 years. In 1950 there were perhaps 1 million Canada Geese; in 1965, 1.5 million. Now there are as many as that in eastern Canada alone, and the continental population probably exceeds 5 million.