More about the Specialist Group

Within the rubric of IUCN SSC’s Species Conservation Cycle, the group undertakes the following activities:

• Network: The BSG promotes communication and cooperation between bustard researchers and conservationists from all taxa and range areas, who share the vision of maintaining healthy and sustainable populations of bustards
• Assess: The BSG contributes proactively to Red List assessments of all bustard species and engages in continued research to clarify status and threats to bustard species, including cross-border counts and electronic tracking
• Plan: The BSG develops and provides guidance regarding Action Plans for bustards with a focus on species and populations threatened with extinction. The group provides consultation and advice to governments and conservation organizations to inform their programmes of action
• Act: The BSG develops best-practice guidelines and programs to address bustard species declines, with a focus on species under threat of extinction and threats facing multiple bustard species, such as poaching and unsustainable hunting, agricultural intensification, dog predation, and powerline collisions. The BSG works within relevant policy forums to develop and advance conservation measures for bustards
• Communicate: The BSG increases awareness and concern among the public regarding bustard conservation and promotes management interventions for declining populations of bustards to relevant authorities and public forums.