Peru forms technical committee to protect 140 endangered suris near Lake Titicaca

Peru is taking steps to protect the critically endangered Andean ostrich, known locally as the suri, by establishing a technical committee near Lake Titicaca. The Binational Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca will spearhead this initiative to conserve the remaining population of 140 birds, which are at risk of disappearing from the southern Peruvian altiplano.

Juan Ocola Salazar, the executive president of the authority, announced the formation of the committee, stating its purpose is to "define management instruments and applicable provisions to strengthen the conservation of the species." The committee will prioritize multisectoral measures to ensure sustainable conservation outcomes.

The Suri Conservation Program has been active in the Puno region for over three decades, establishing specialized centers to protect these large, fast-running birds. The suri, also called the ñandú andino, can reach heights of 1.5 meters and is found in the altiplano regions of Puno, Tacna, and Moquegua.

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We seek to define management instruments and applicable provisions to strengthen the conservation of the species.

However, a significant challenge to the program's continuity is a lack of funding. The operational capacity of three conservation centers is compromised, as the care of the 140 birds relies heavily on consistent public resources. Ocola emphasized the need to "reactivate public resources for the development of wildlife conservation programs," particularly after a technical inspection revealed a shortage of balanced feed, posing health and survival risks to the birds.

The technical committee will also bolster research into the suri's reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, behavior, and population management. These investigations are crucial for guiding future strategies for the recovery and reintroduction of the species into their natural habitats.

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Public resources need to be reactivated for the development of wildlife conservation programs.