A new population estimate by EBA Director Mimi Kessler finds that Central Asia, which encompasses 30% of the Great Bustard range, now contains just 1% of the global population of this species. Data gathered and published in a special issue of Sandgrouse, largely by EBA partners, indicate that approximately 500 individuals remain in Central Asia. Through a synthesis of data gathered within the last five years, the author estimates 29000-32500 Great Bustards to remain globally, a decrease of 40% since the last global estimate was published in 2014.
Download the new paper here [pdf]
Photo: Western Great Bustards in Kazakhstan, S. Shmygalev