Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation Assessment
Program Review and Recommendations for Improved Success
Photo credit - J. Satore
Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) populations are at or near all–time lows with an estimated 97% decline in populations and a 92% decline in rangewide occupancy. Estimated populations from the last half-century of over 200,000 birds have reached lows of approximately 20,000 birds in 2013 and have recently seen a slight recovery to approximately 33,000 birds. Based on the severe reduction in habitat availability and historically low populations, the North American Grouse Partnership (NAGP) is extremely concerned about the future of lesser prairie-chickens.
NAGP has conducted a review of lesser-prairie chicken (LPC) conservation actions being implemented within the range of this species. Based on our assessment we have provided a set of recommendations to increase the likelihood of success for LPC conservation actions and provide a path to recovery for LPC populations.