Family: Cathartidae (New World vultures)

Authority: (Shaw, 1797)

Red List Category

Criteria: C2a(i); D

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Justification of Red List category
After the removal of all surviving birds into captivity in 1987, an intensive conservation programme involving reintroduction and release of captive-bred birds has led to a small but increasing population of this species in the wild. However, the population in the wild remains dependent on intensive conservation management efforts. The population currently numbers 93 mature individuals, with 62 mature individuals in the largest subpopulation and as a result, it currently meets the threshold for listing as Endangered. However, the population only increased sufficiently above the threshold for listing as Critically Endangered in 2019, hence the species continues to be listed as Critically Endangered under the five-year rule. Should such population increases continue, it will warrant downlisting in 2024.

Population size: 93 mature individuals

Population trend: increasing

Extent of occurrence (breeding/resident): 405,000 km²

Country endemic: no

Attributes
Land-mass type - continent
Realm - Nearctic
IUCN System - Terrestrial