Population viability analysis

Only one of the nine African savanna hornbill species, the Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri: hereafter SGH) is listed as being of conservation concern. The species is an apex predator and thus ecologically important, as well as holding immense cultural value to the majority of language groups across its range.

The Mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) is a little known but charismatic wallaby, rescued from imminent extinction in the 1980s when the last 22 animals were secured in predator-proof enclosures. The last mainland wild population perished in a wild fire in 1991. Mala numbers remain critically low, dispersed among six predator-free sites, isolated from each other and located in three different States and Territories.

Twenty-eight biologists, managers, and decision makers attended a Population Viability Assessment (PVA) Workshop at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas on 22-24 October, 1990 to apply these recently developed procedures to the captive and wild populations and the reintroduction of the Mexican wolf. The Captive Breeding Specialist Group, the Canid and Wolf Specialist Groups of the IUCN/Species Survival Commission were asked to collaborate in this PVA workshop to assist the recovery effort.