Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25

AN UPDATED ESTIMATE OF THE WORLD STATUS AND POPULATION TRENDS OF THE GREAT OTIS TARDA

Carlos PALACÍN* 1 and Juan Carlos ALONSO*

SUMMARY.—An updated estimate of the world status and population trends of the Otis tarda. Aims: To present an updated estimate of the status and trends of the great bustard Otis tarda world- wide, provide a baseline for future evaluations of the of the and identify re- gions where more precise census work is needed. Results and Conclusions: The world population is estimated to be between 43,500 and 51,200 indi- viduals, of which ca. 60 % occur in . The results suggest that total numbers have not decreased dur- ing the last decade, in contrast to the declining trend currently assumed. This is largely due to the overall positive tendency recently observed in the . Some small central European populations that had been decreasing for several decades are also recovering now, apparently due to active conserva- tion measures. However, a reduction in range is still occurring, with a tendency to concentrate at sites with high-quality . This recommends keeping conservation efforts and the species’ protection status worldwide. More accurate surveys are needed in , northwest , and in to confirm numbers and trends in these countries. Key words: current estimate, great bustard, Otis tarda, population trend, world status.

RESUMEN.—Estimación y tendencia de la población mundial de avutarda común Otis tarda. Objetivos: Presentar una estimación actualizada de la población mundial de avutardas y de su ten- dencia en la tres últimas décadas, proporcionar información reciente para futuras evaluaciones del esta- do de conservación e identificar las regiones donde es necesaria la realización de censos más precisos. Resultados y conclusiones: La población mundial ha sido estimada entre 43.500 y 51.200 individuos, encontrándose en España el 60 %. El número total de individuos parece no haber disminuido en la últi- ma década, en contraste con el decrecimiento asumido hasta la fecha. Este cambio se debe, probablemen- te, a la tendencia positiva del conjunto de la población de la península Ibérica. Algunas poblaciones cen- troeuropeas, que habían disminuido durante varias décadas, parecen haber iniciado un lento proceso de recuperación debido a las medidas de conservación emprendidas en los últimos años. Sin embargo, a ni- vel global, parece existir una disminución del área de distribución y una tendencia a que la población se concentre en los lugares donde el hábitat presenta una alta calidad. Es recomendable la realización de cen- sos más precisos en Rusia, noroeste de China, Turquía y Ucrania con objeto de confirmar la abundancia y la tendencia de sus poblaciones. Palabras clave: estimación actual, avutarda común, Otis tarda, tendencia poblacional, población mundial.

* Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, E-28006 Spain.

1 Corresponding author: [email protected] 14 PALACÍN, C. and ALONSO, J. C.

INTRODUCTION tries have been published, e.g. in Spain where the greatest part of the world population is The great bustard Otis tarda occurs in high- found (Alonso et al., 2003, 2005a, 2006; ly fragmented populations across the Palaearc- Palacín, 2007; Junta de Castilla y León, 2008), tic region, from the Iberian Peninsula and Mo- Africa (Alonso et al., 2005b); rocco, eastwards, to China (Del Hoyo et al., (Bankovics, 2005, 2006; Langgemach and 1996). It is considered Globally Threatened Litzbarski, 2005; Raab, 2004, 2006), Russia and qualifies as Vulnerable in the Red List of (Antonchikov, 2006; Watzke et al., 2007) and Threatened Species (IUCN, 2006), due to the Asia (Tseveenmyadag, 2002; Goroshko, 2004; possible negative impact of land privatisation Kong and Li, 2005; Gao et al., 2007). There- and land-use changes in eastern Europe, Rus- fore it is advisable to make an updated review sia and , which might cause a rap- of its world status. In this paper such a review id population reduction equivalent to more than is presented, followed by a discussion on re- 30 % in the next decade (BirdLife Internation- cent trends in countries where data are most al, 2004a). The population trend is believed reliable. The aims are to (a) provide a baseline to be declining worldwide as a consequence of for future evaluations of the conservation sta- agricultural intensification and in some places tus of the species, (b) identify gaps in current hunting and infrastructure expansion. In Eu- knowledge of the status and trends of the dif- rope it is also classified as Vulnerable due to ferent populations, and (c) identify regions the estimated 30% decline over the last three where more precise census work is urgently generations (or 42 years, BirdLife Internation- needed, suggesting methodological improve- al, 2004b). Over the last 50 years great bus- ments for future survey work. The ultimate ob- tards have become extinct in several European jective is to assist in identifying priorities for and Asian countries (Cramp and Simmons, conservation and research in order to maintain 1980; Chan and Goroshko, 1998; BirdLife In- great bustard numbers worldwide. ternational 2001; Morales and Martín, 2002). The first published assessments of the great bustard status estimated the world population MATERIAL AND METHODS to be under 30,000 (25,825-27,185 birds, Collar, 1979; ca. 20,000 birds, Collar, 1985; An exhaustive revision was made of the most 22,480-23,860 birds, Hidalgo, 1990). Howev- recent published results of great bustard sur- er, these figures did not include the Asian pop- veys throughout the whole distribution range ulations of the eastern subspecies O. t. dybowskii, of the species. The main data sources were pa- and were based on crude estimates for most pers published in scientific journals or present- countries. Some years later Collar (1991) pub- ed at international meetings, as well as surveys lished a new total of 28,000 birds and Hidalgo accepted by national conservation authorities (1997) guessed between 25,640 and 30,480 as reflecting the status of the species in their birds. Based on an estimate of 17,000 - 19,000 respective countries. The details of the cen- birds for Spain (Alonso and Alonso, 1996) the sus methodologies employed in each case may world total was later increased to 31,000-37,000 be found in the cited references. (BirdLife International, 2000a), a figure main- In addition, most researchers working with tained in the last status review, where the glob- great were contacted to have access al trend of the species was qualified as decreas- to their unpublished reports and know their lat- ing (BirdLife International, 2007). est counts. Finally, one of us participated in a Since year 2000 several new and more ac- spring survey of the second largest population curate great bustard surveys in various coun- in Saratov region, Russia, in April 2007 (A.

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 WORLD STATUS AND POPULATION TRENDS OF THE GREAT BUSTARD 15

Khrustov, Alonso, J. C. and Waters, D., unpubl. suggest that great bustards went extinct in Bul- data) to obtain a better impression of the con- garia (last breeding recorded in 1997), Ro- servation status and reliability of published es- mania (although 4 birds have been sighted in timates of this important population. spring 2007), (2 individuals sighted un- The following criteria were established to til 1991, considered extinct since 1993), Czech evaluate the quality of the population counts Republic (2 - 5 birds seen up to 1994, later prob- or estimates: (a) high, when (a1) the estimate ably extinct, although in recent years 1 - 6 birds was based on counts carried out by observers have been sighted), and . Numbers with previous experience counting great bus- have almost certainly declined in , tards, and applying a systematic and standard- Turkey, , and , and in most of the ized methodology (for more details see Alon- distribution range of the eastern subspecies O. so et al., 2003, Alonso et al., 2005a), including t. dybowskii. In contrast, the species has in- long series of yearly counts of well moni- creased in , , and , and tored populations (e.g., Germany, Hungary), almost certainly in Spain and . Final- and (a2) the interval between minimum and ly, recent trends are unknown in Russia and maximum estimates did not exceed 15 % of Ukraine (see numbers and references in Table the maximum estimate, with the exception of 2, further details in the Discussion below). very small populations (< 20 individuals), in which case we qualified estimates as high qual- ity even if they not fulfilled a1; (b) medium, DISCUSSION when (b1) the estimate was based on surveys with incomplete coverage of the habitat poten- The world estimate of 43,514 - 51,227 great tially suitable, and (b2) the interval between bustards presented here may be considered rea- minimum and maximum estimates was be- sonably reliable, as the range between maxi- tween 15 % and 30 % of the maximum esti- mum and minimum figures was ca. 15 %. mate; and (c) low, when (c1) the estimate was Moreover, most national figures, particularly not based on systematic counts and (c2) the in- those contributing more to this total, are terval between minimum and maximum esti- based on trustworthy censuses carried out in re- mates was > 30 % of the maximum estimate. cent years by experienced observers using stan- dard methods (Spain, Portugal), or longer se- ries of accurate counts throughout the last RESULTS decades (Hungary, Austria, Germany). The sum of these counts represents ca. 70 % of the esti- The world population of great bustards is mated world total. Another 20 % of the birds estimated to be between 43,514 and 51,227 in- correspond to medium quality estimates, and dividuals (Table 1), of which the largest part the remaining 10 % to low-quality guesses (see (56 - 65 %) occurs in Spain. European Russia Table 1). holds 17 - 24 % of the world total, north-west- As for the population trend of the species ern China (Xinjiang) 4 - 7 %, , south- worldwide, data available for the last three eastern Russia and north-eastern China 3 - 4 decades suggest that, in spite of an apparent % (subspecies O. t. dybowskii), Portugal and reduction in their distribution range, total num- Hungary 3 % each, Turkey 2 - 3 %, and Ukraine bers have not decreased during the last 20 years. 1 - 2%. Other countries hold less than 1% of This is largely due to the positive overall ten- the world total. Table 2 summarizes the results dency observed in Spain, the main strong- published on the species’ status in each coun- hold for the species, and contradicts the declin- try through the last three decades. These data ing population trend currently assumed

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 16 PALACÍN, C. and ALONSO, J. C.

TABLE 1

Current estimate of breeding populations of the great bustard, ordered by numbers of birds. See Methods for criteria used to evaluate the quality of estimate. [Estimación actual de las poblaciones reproductoras de avutarda común, ordenadas por abundancia. Véa- se Métodos para la definición de los criterios utilizados en la evaluación de la calidad de la estimación.]

Country Number of. birds Reference Quality of (min-max) estimate Spain 27,500 - 30,000 Palacín, 2007 (updated); Junta high de Castilla y León, 2008 European Russia 8,000 - 11,000 Malikov et al., 2000; Khrustov et medium al., 2003; Antonchikov, 2006; Watzke et al. 2007 NW China (Xinjiang) 2,000 - 3,000 Gao et al., 2007 low Mongolia + SE Rusia 1,500 - 1,700 Goroshko et al., 2004 high +NE China Portugal 1,399 Pinto and Rocha, 2006 high Hungary 1,353 Túzokvédelmi Program, 2006 high Turkey 764 - 1,250 Kiliç and Eken, 2004 low Ukraine 500 -850 Domashlinets and Andriushchenko, low 2004; Yaremchenko and Bakhtiyarov, 2006 Austria 175 Raab, R. pers. com. high Iran 89 - 161* Amini, 2000 low Germany 110 Langgemach, T. pers. com high Morocco 91 - 108 Alonso et al., 2005b medium Kazakhstan 0 - 50 Academy of Sciences, 1996 low and 35 - 40 Garovnikov, 2004 high 8 - 16 BirdLife International, 2004b high 1 - 6 Sˇkorpíková and Horal, 2004 high 0 - 4 Istvan Leszai, pers. com. high Moldova 0 BirdLife International, 2004b high 0 Deleriev et al., 2004 high TOTAL 43,514 - 51,227

* this maximum corresponds to an autumn count in 1991.

(BirdLife International 2004a, 2007). The re- The current status and recent trends in each duction in range is evident from the local ex- country where the species is still present are tinctions recorded during the last decades in reviewed below. In Turkey, great bustards have several central European and Asian countries probably declined, since partial counts at best (see Table 2), as well as in some smaller and known regions suggest that earlier estimates marginal breeding areas within the Iberian should be revised downwards, and that the dis- Peninsula (Alonso et al., 2003; Pinto et al., tribution range of the species has decreased, 2005; Palacín, 2007). with some populations becoming isolated (He-

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 WORLD STATUS AND POPULATION TRENDS OF THE GREAT BUSTARD 17 unks et al., 2001; Balmer and Kirwan, 2003; national, 2000a, 2000b). Since then it is con- Özbagdatly and Tavares, 2006). In Morocco, sidered threatened with extinction in this coun- a decreasing trend has been detected between try (Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, 1996; 1999 and 2005 (Alonso et al., 2005b), follow- Antonchikov, 2006). ing the long-term moderate decline reported In recent years, several local extinctions for earlier decades (see Alonso et al., have been reported for some regions of the 2000a). In Iran, the estimates are from the pe- western part of the former Soviet Union. In riod 1990 - 94, when the disappearance of a the Podolie region (Ukraine), great bustards wintering population of 200 - 250 individuals were a common breeding species during the in the northeast of the country was reported, early 20th century, but went extinct due to and the north-western population was consid- changes in land use and agricultural devel- ered to be stable (Amini, 2000). More re- opment (Matveyev and Tabachishin, 2003). In cently, however, several decreasing trends have the Carpathians, great bustards were counted been observed at some breeding sites of the in hundreds before 1940, but today they have Kurdistan (Barati and Amerifar, 2008). An au- disappeared due to hunting and land use tumn count carried out in 1991 is suggested changes (Skilsky, 2000). In , the as upper limit of the estimate for this country. species bred up to the 1940s, but now only sev- Early winter surveys (e.g., December - Janu- eral tens to a few hundred birds are reported ary) may sometimes give better estimates than wintering (Del Hoyo et al., 1996). In Turk- spring counts: e.g. in Morocco, highest menistan, great bustards are cited as a com- count 90 birds in December, versus 75 - 81 mon breeder during the first half of the 20th birds in spring (Hellmich and Idaghdour, century, after which a severe decline probably 2002); in Extremadura, the highest counts were occurred (Saparmuradov, 2003). In the Al- also obtained in winter, 5,500 - 6,000 as com- taisky region, great bustards were in decline pared to only 3,500 - 4,000 in spring (Corba- in the 80s-90s, with only isolated sightings cho et al., 2005). On the other hand, in migra- at present (Irisova, 2000). tory populations winter counts may give higher The latest data available for the populations totals than spring surveys, or confirm the lat- in eastern Asia (O. t. dybowskii) also suggest ter. For example, the winter estimate of 11,000 a decline during the last two decades, with max- - 12,000 great bustards in Ukraine (Deleriev imum estimates for its whole distribution range et al., 2004) has been useful to support spring decreasing from 3,100 (Chan and Goroshko, estimates carried out in Russia, since Russian 1998) to 1,700 birds (Goroshko, 2000, 2004; bustards are known to spend the winter in see Table 2). These figures are slightly higher Ukraine (Watzke et al., 2001). (2,230 - 3,150 individuals) when summing The population trend seems to be negative up all local estimations: Mongolia, 1,500 - also in Kazakhstan, where great bustards have 1,700 individuals (Tseveenmyadag, 2002); Rus- disappeared from certain areas in which they sia, the subspecies dybowskii occurs in the were a common breeding species in the 19th south-eastern region Chita, where numbers are and first half of the 20th centuries. In the 1980s estimated between 530 and 650 (Goroshko, there are only some records in smaller areas 2000) after a decline during the last two decades southwest of the Altai mountains, in the Chi- (Puzanskii, 2000); and China, between 200 and liktinskaya valley and north of Prizaysanye and 800 individuals estimated in the northeast of Tarbagatay. In 1992, the species was consid- the country (Gao et al., 2007). The estimate ered to be severely threatened in the eastern of 2,000 - 3,000 birds in north-western China part of the country (Berezovikov, 1992), where (Gao et al., 2007) is the same as that published rapid declines were reported (BirdLife Inter- for the previous decade (Gao, 1994), and much

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 18 PALACÍN, C. and ALONSO, J. C. - s , , r e n n e n , , o o i i s w i l n n n t t , n r e o o o o a a s e n o i i i p s d i t t t d u o t e w a a a a i n a h a a r t o r t p c c c o i c c i i i c g i p g p i t f f f u e e e w f i i i e a r t h i l d s s s d t t c s s n i b i s n n n t t n l o f a e e e e a a w i i e t t t a t t d b t i s s r i n n n i n o t n i i i b n u l b i t l s r o a e a l l l n n i t a e l o p h a a a h s a a n a n c n r r r i , i r b b l n n d u u u , , f l n l u t t t , n g g t l l l g g o o w w a g l w a n n c r u u u n n o o n i i u i i n o c c c u , i n n t t t t c i i i * t o t n i g g g k k n n l r r r n n i k n r t n n n n n u u u d u u g g g i i i a n u g c u u h h a a a h h t t t s n r i u h a e e n n n e r ) ) t ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) r n u u u l g ------+ - + i T ( ( ( ( h ( h ( ( h a a ( ( ( l ( ( ) ) ) . ) ) , v 4 y l b e 6 m 0 d , i a , 5 0 l r o 0 u n n 0 a 0 t e c 2 e o r l 0 s 2 i . , k e o 2 t s c , o r E , a n a D H k . ] e e l n . h , d h p d s r s a c s 7 n e e , n a o t o 9 t i a r a r d e a 9 n p R ç o I a ( z á 1 i o . c l s d v G s e s i 0 é e g n ( f o e n 0 i d n a K L k d i o ( 0 0 í L l s , a ) d o n 7 0 p d a t c 0 0 4 e r A a r 0 7 n e ( i , 3 5 e 0 o v m i 0 r t i d 1 2 0 k - B t 2 8 , P s b ( ˇ l 2 - ( e ) S I 0 1 - 0 t ( ( ú e , b ) ) 1 6 s - . 0 9 0 r s 0 4 4 4 l a 6 4 1 - 0 9 5 h l e 0 , 0 0 0 4 a t - ( - - 5 3 r 7 0 , , 1 0 0 0 6 t t t s 2 1 1 2 2 1 e 9 2 2 7 8 0 0 s a 2 l a ) l n E b e i L n 4 h n B t e 0 g , A ) l s 0 a g a 3 e T 2 n l i n 0 M , b r l o 0 i a d u d a 2 ) t i e d n d n f n a ) ) 0 , d n a a . o a s n 4 4 ) 0 l a a i t r t o n 9 9 4 0 c n a a t e a h a 9 9 9 e e 2 t t d a c n h k 1 1 9 ) , n e i ) ) r D d i e I 1 2 C E 4 l 8 e p p n o m t ( ( n 0 i e b 9 9 l s u u p n f l o 0 i i a 9 9 0 0 i n I u i r r m e c 2 i l 1 1 9 0 0 o L o o r e l , s e A H , , 9 0 1 r f d o r ( ( , , e i G G p r o 9 A u ( ( i 6 3 n ( G h k u L 1 1 3 o t i ( o - - ) B h i d 0 5 6 3 i r d - 0 ( s r b ) c 4 1 3 1 1 o h i 0 0 0 w o 0 0 0 a 1 5 g - - - - 0 5 1 r l G B s 9 0 , 0 a - ( - ( 0 7 o b n 9 0 5 0 , , 0 3 0 9 d o o 0 2 2 1 1 7 3 0 3 2 I 9 1 G 2 8 i p t a s ) l a 6 u l , ) i 9 d p ; 4 , e k ) . 9 n o , , , d 9 ) l d s r r r 5 a 1 p n 9 5 a a a a n 8 a , a l l l ) f 1 8 n o i t y r l l l 9 i ) 7 o s 9 , c e z a p o o o 1 , l k 6 8 s n 1 p s n u l i , o C C C o e 9 i 9 9 o e u , d r t o ) d ( ( ( s r l r i r 9 1 8 d a n r n 5 n e n o e l K 1 i , 9 5 0 0 A e n l a o 8 ( o n ( r B e , o 1 1 0 5 G P l o t r 9 ( t R ( ( G ) i o h 5 3 2 3 - 0 1 ( A C l d ; s ) ) ) a y 1 6 ( - - - ( 0 0 7 K a , n 0 5 n 5 5 7 0 ) 3 1 r - 0 0 1 g a 8 8 , o 5 8 1 8 0 8 0 0 0 r x d - - 0 0 l u a ) 9 9 9 0 7 , 9 , 0 0 9 0 0 0 9 a n x P 1 1 1 2 B 2 A 1 1 a 1 1 1 1 3 2 3 1 1 2 m a - n m i - c i n m l i ( b m n u + ( + ó p i s a e a i c a y o a l e i a a a l i t R i i a r c a v s n o n r t a y d c k o i g u h a m a g e n n a n o d i h u m c i g R n l r t t k a v i u l m e n a r l r s t C o o o o o u z o a s E p l u o o E r P N I S S T M M R S P M B E [ C C

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 WORLD STATUS AND POPULATION TRENDS OF THE GREAT BUSTARD 19

higher than the 250 - 300 birds guessed by Chan - a

* and Goroshko (1998), and judged as dubious v r * s e s s

s by BirdLife International (2001). e e e n g r r o n u u In contrast to the above mentioned declining c a s s , h a a c e e g populations, current data indicate increases dur- l n m m i a r d ing the last 1 - 2 decades in the following cen- n n e . u o o t s e i i l l s r t t tral European countries (see Table 2). In Hun- i u e b a a a r c t v v i e u r r e r gary, a minimum of 875 individuals was recorded s v e e d g i a s s t a r e n n

p in spring 1991 (Práger, 2005; Bankovics, 2006), e ) o o a m h + c c c t (

r after a prolonged decline since the 8,557 birds n ) ) ) ) u o + + - + f i ( ( t ( ( estimated in 1941 (Sterbetz, 1975). Numbers r o . f ) l

. remained more or less stable during the 90s and , t a x m , m t . e o l a

e slightly increased afterwards, reaching 1,353 in t r c a e e g . t e ; k

s 2006 (Túzokvédelmi Program, 2006). This in- o e s ) r z r 3 . t , e 0 P v a s

p crease is attributed to the implementation of con- m 0 o i 0 . o k 2 W 9 i m c T , l ; l servation measures, as well as to changes in land- . e , . a l 6 e s h h a 0 d r t c M use associated to the new political situation since é e 0 t a n ( v e p 2 i k m . , 1989 (Bankovics et al., 2005; Bankovics, 2006). 0 e n v e o i s R 0 r o z , g a 0 a k ú b g

, In Austria, a steady decline was also recorded e i p r a n 8 T h c a

a th O ( - c since the first half of the 20 century, to a n R L i ) ) ; n ( ( 3 0 7 0 6 o y 5 0 t minimum of ca. 61 in 1995 (Kollar and Wurm, 0 0 0 5 0 b 3 0 n , 0 , 0 0 7 1 d 1 2 2 6 A 2 1 1 1996), with a subsequent increase up to 175 in e w ;

o spring 2006, also attributed to the agri-environ- l 5 l ; , 0 . ) o )

l mental measures taken in recent years (Raab, 0 n f 6 6 i a , 2 9 9 s t , 7 9

9 2004, 2006, pers. com.). In Germany, a steep r e 0 5 d d 1 1 e 8 a n n , , g n decline has also occurred since 1940, from an a a e n i ó á i m r h i g r h t r m k P a a

c estimated 4,100 birds, to a minimum of 57 birds u ( r ; s ) n p ) a ) r i a 5 6 1 a W 6 F O m 0 e in 1997, after which numbers increased up to 0 9 ( ( b 9 s e 0 d 0 9 z 9 a g 0 0 t 2 n 2 1 i e 1 the 101 individuals counted in spring 2005 g a 0 0 , r , , L n n 3 0 c r s i ( , , i m a e a c k and 2006 (Langgemach and Bellenbaum, 2005; 1 6 l i u s L 0 d 5 l a v r - - 0 7 o ( e a b o )

l Langgemach and Liztbarski, 2005; Langgemach, 1 8 0 0 e k b K 7 8 b l ( - 0 0 z i n l n 9 9 t i s 1 5 a e

i T. pers. com.) and 110 in spring 2007 9 , 9 , 1 0 s 1 1 1 L 4 B B 6 9 m o

p (Langgemach, T. pers. com., see www.grosstrap- * )

* pen.de). This change in trend is attributed to the d t 3 ; n n 9 ) i g a , 9 5 ) l more efficient measures (improvement of in- n i o 1 8 6 i F k k ( s 9 9 , s a n semination and hatchings rates, predator con- 1 9 ó r 0 e e 1 g , a r 0 r h a , b c 0

a trol and others) taken in the last years within the r i c , l z n a k h l t i 7 i s s F o ) i

r captive breeding program running there since ( - L a C + ) ( ( 1 0 ( M b 1 9 0 1973, which includes systematic egg collection ; z 1 0 9 d t 6 0 g i , 5 5 , 9 n n 2 1 3 L 6 a 1 and artificial incubation. Today over 40 % of all i s a )

e German bustards are artificially reared birds r a i c s

e (Langgemach and Liztbarski, 2005). s d u

) As for the Iberian Peninsula, after the R - ( ( y y : n r v a steep decrease that presumably occurred in a d i a o r n t g t m e a n s r Spain until 1980, due mostly to hunting, the r r t u u e a A H * G S population currently shows a slight tendency

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 20 PALACÍN, C. and ALONSO, J. C. to increase at some areas and to decrease in Ukraine (Andryushchenko, 2007) and marginal sites (Hidalgo, 1997; Alonso et al., 11,000 - 12,000 birds (Deleriev et al., 2004), 2003; Palacín et al., 2004). In some regions the supporting the Russian estimate of 8,000 - observed increase is partly a consequence of 11,000 birds (see Table 1). However, we should conspecific aggregation, a process by which remark that estimates of the Russian popula- the population is concentrating at high quali- tion are based on counts of a relatively small ty sites and disappearing from poor quality ones number of birds (ca. 2000 - 2700 birds) which (Alonso et al., 2004). An overall nationwide are later extrapolated to all potential habitat in increasing trend may be inferred from changes a vast territory. These extrapolations may be in numbers at certain better monitored areas, uncertain and therefore further census work although longer and more precise series of cen- should be carried out in these countries to con- suses are necessary at some other sites in or- firm both numbers and trends. der to be able to quantify the suggested increase. A reintroduction project has recently started In Portugal, very similar demographic trends in , where young birds hatched from have been identified in the last two decades, artificially incubated eggs are imported from also with a suggested slight nationwide in- Russia and released near Salisbury in England crease, and a tendency to concentrate in a sin- (Osborne, 2005; Waters and Waters, 2005; Wa- gle high quality area, and to disappear from ters, 2006). In total, 74 birds have been re- smaller marginal sites (Pinto et al., 2005; Pin- leased between 2004 and 2007, of which some to and Rocha, 2006). 20 still survive (see www.greatbustard.com). Finally, changing trends have been described for the Russian population, with contradicto- ry interpretations by different authors. A Conclusions and recommendations marked decrease occurred in the former USSR due to strong agricultural transformations in Summing up, the quality of great bustard the 19th and 20th centuries. Since 1991, it seems population estimates worldwide has increased that the crisis of the agricultural infrastructure notably in the last decade, and many new na- favoured a recovery of the great bustard pop- tional or local accounts have been published ulation (Chernobai, 2003), but in the last 3 - 4 within the last few years. The new world total years agribusiness has started a recovery and presented here (43,500 - 51,200 individuals) is threatening again the future of the species is based on 70 % high-quality counts, with an- (Antonchikov, 2006). Based on recent estimates other 30 % medium to low-quality guesses for (see Table 2) it is not possible to establish re- north-west China, Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, liable trends for the last two decades, with some Iran, Morocco, and Ukraine. Detailed surveys authors suggesting slight increases (Khrustov of all these populations are urgently needed to et al., 2000, 2003; Chernobai, 2003; Shlyakhtin improve our knowledge of their status and pos- et al., 2004), whereas others cast doubt on such sible trends, in order to adequately plan their increases (Antonchikov, 2006). A similar con- conservation and keep the species’IUCN cat- clusion holds for Ukraine, where the only es- egory updated. The overall population trend is timates available (640 - 850 birds, Domash- not a decreasing one, as currently thought linets, 2004; 500 - 720 birds, Yaremchenko and (BirdLife International, 2007), although the Bakhtiyarov, 2006) do not enable any judgment recently identified tendency to concentration about its demographic trend. Winter counts of at a smaller number of sites with appropriate great bustards in Ukraine amounted between habitat conditions, with still continuing de- 3,000 - 8,000 birds (Yaremchenko and Bakhti- clines and local extinctions at many marginal yarov, 2006), 7,000 - 8,000 only in southern areas, even in Iberia where the species’strong-

Ardeola 55(1), 2008, 13-25 WORLD STATUS AND POPULATION TRENDS OF THE GREAT BUSTARD 21 hold lives, recommends keeping the species as ALONSO, J. C. and ALONSO, J. A. 1996. The Great Vulnerable in the IUCN list, and enhance the Bustard Otis tarda in Spain: present status, recent conservation measures at all sites. trends and evaluation of earlier censuses. Biolog- A detailed knowledge of the migration and ical Conservation, 77: 79-86. breeding phenology of the species would be ALONSO, J. C., LANE, S. J., DAWSON, R. and IDAGH- desirable to adequately plan optimal survey DOUR,Y. 2000a. Great bustards Otis tarda in Mo- rocco: status in spring 1999 and evidence of a de- dates. In addition to spring counts, or as a means cline in recent decades. Oryx, 34: 141-146. to confirm the latter, it is recommended to car- ALONSO, J. C., MARTÍN, C. A., ALONSO, J. A., ry out winter counts, particularly in regions PALACÍN, C., MAGAÑA, M. and LANE, S. J. 2004. where the density of breeding birds is too Distribution dynamics of a great bustard metapop- low. The tendency of great bustard to aggre- ulation throughout a decade: influence of con- gate in winter at some feeding areas facilitates specific attraction and recruitment. Biodiversity obtaining a maximum count at this time of the and Conservtion, 13: 1659-2004. year. Specifically for Spain, a count is rec- ALONSO, J. C., MORALES, M. B. and ALONSO, J. A. ommended in December-January (Alonso et 2000b. Partial migration, lek fidelity and nesting al., 2000b, 2005a; Palacín, 2007). area fidelity in female great bustards Otis tarda. The experience from some central European The , 102: 127-36. countries (Hungary, Austria, Germany) shows ALONSO, J. C., PALACÍN, C. and MARTÍN, C. A. 2003. that the species may react positively to conser- Status and recent trends of the Great Bustard (Otis vation measures. Thus it is important that such tarda) population in the Iberian Peninsula. Bio- logical Conservation, 110: 185-195. measures are urgently implemented, though ALONSO, J. C., PALACÍN, C. and MARTÍN, C. A. (Eds.). with the appropriate scientific control, at all 2005a. La Avutarda Común en la Península Ibéri- other areas where the species is declining or ca. Población actual y método de censo. threatened with extinction. SEO/BirdLife, Madrid. ALONSO, J. C., PALACÍN, C. and MARTÍN, C. A. 2006. An updated estimate of the Great Bustard popu- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.—We thank A. An- lation in Spain. In, D. Leitao, C. Jolivet, M. Ro- tonchikov, A. Bankovics, A. Barati, S. Chan, J. driguez and J. Tavares (Eds.): Bustard conser- Hellmich, T. Langgemach, I. Leszai, B. Litzsbars- vation in Europe in the last 15 years, pp. 27-30. ki, A. V. Khrustov, M. L. Oparin, O. S. Oparina, RSPB/BirdLife. Bedfordshire. M. Pinto, P. Rocha and D. Waters for the informa- ALONSO, J. C., PALACÍN, C., MARTÍN, C. A., MOUATI, tion on great bustards in their countries. We are also N., ARHZAF, Z. L. and AZIZI, D. 2005b. The grateful to all people in Spain who provided us with Great Bustard Otis tarda in Morocco: a re-eval- valuable information on local populations, or worked uation of its status based on recent survey results. with us during the surveys. Special thanks are giv- Ardeola, 53: 79-90. en to J. A. Arranz and A. Balmori of the Junta de AMINI, T. H. 2000. The status of Great Bustard Otis Castilla y León for the 2008 survey data. We ac- tarda in Iran. Sandgrouse, 22: 55-60. knowledge that the present review is largely the re- ANDRYUSHCHENKO, Y. A. 2007. The Great Bustard sult of the effort they have devoted to the study and in southern Ukraine. Bustard Studies, 6: 111-130. the conservation of this endangered species. ANTONCHIKOV, A. 2006. Great and in Russia: Conservation Problems and Prospects. In, D. Leitao, C. Jolivet, M. Rodriguez and J. Tavares BIBLIOGRAPHY (Eds.): Bustard conservation in Europe in the last 15 years, pp. 39-43. RSPB/BirdLife. Bedfordshire. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF KAZAKHSTAN. 1996. The BALMER, D. and KIRWAN, G. M. 2003. Great Bus- Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. V1. . Part tard population in Turkey much smaller than pre- 1 . Third Edition. Almaty. viously thought. Sandgrouse 25: 6.

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adjacent countries, 1: 63-65. Saratov Universi- tards Otis tarda from the Saratov region (Russia): ty Press. Saratov. First results of a satellite tracking study. Vog e l - SˇKORPÍKOVÁ, V. and HORAL, D. 2004. National Re- welt, 122: 89-94. port, Czech Republic. Memorandum of Unders- WATZKE, H., OPARIN, M. L., KONDRANTEKOV, I. A. tanding on the Conservation and Managenment and OPARINA, O. S. 2007. The Great Bustard pop- of the Middle-European Population of the Great ulation density in the Saratov district east of the Bustard. (Otis tarda). 17 -18 September, Ill- river Volga – results of censuses in autumn 1998, mitz, Austria. Convention on Migratory Species. 1999 and 2000. Bustard Studies, 6: 65-74. Http://www.cms.int/species/otis_tarda/mee- YAREMCHENKO, O. and BAKHTIYAROV, O. 2006 Great tings/GB_1/Great_Bustard_1st_SS_Meeting.htm Bustard (Otis tarda) in Ukraine: History, Cur- [accessed 11 July 2007]. rent, Status, Conservation Problems and Strate- STERBETZ, I. 1975. Trappen-Probleme in Ungarn. gies. In, D. Leitao, C. Jolivet, M. Rodriguez and Falke, 22: 222-226. J. Tavares (Eds.): Bustard conservation in Europe TSEVEENMYADAG, N. 2002. Great bustard (Otis tar- in the last 15 years, pp. 145-149. RSPB/BirdLife. da dybowskii L.) in Mongolia. Unpublished re- Bedfordshire. port, Ornithological Laboratory, Institute of Bi- ology, MAS. [Recibido: 24-10-07] TÚZOKVÉDELMI PROGRAM. 2006. Több mint 1300 [Aceptado: 27-03-08] túzok van Magyarországon. Http://www.tuzok. hu/index.php?p=newsandnyelv=hunandid=2 [ac- cessed 11 July 2007]. Dr. Carlos Palacín has a particular interest in the WATERS, D. 2006. The Great Bustard Otis tarda rein- ecology and conservation of endangered bird species. troduction in the UK – is it working? In Bus- He has studied the migratory behaviour of Great Bus- tard conservation in Europe in the last 15 years tard and was the coordinator of the review of the con- (eds. Leitao, D., Jolivet, C., Rodriguez, M. and servation status of this species for the red data book Tavares, J.), pp. 133-137. RSPB/BirdLife. Bed- of threatened birds of Spain. Prof. Juan C.Alonso fordshire, UK. has worked on behavioural ecology and conserva- WATERS, E. and WATERS, D. 2005. The former sta- tion biology of endangered bird species, particular- tus of Great Bustard in Britain. British Birds, 98: ly Common Cranes, Great Bustards and various rap- 295-305. tors. Since 1987 he is co-ordinating a research project WATZKE, H., LITZBARSKI, H., OPARINA, O. S. and on the dispersal, genetics and metapopulation struc- OPARIN, M. L. 2001. The migration of Great Bus- ture of the Great Bustard in Spain.

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