Purpose of the Session

This roundtable discussion will bring together national, regional, and international experts and stakeholders to discuss the future of research, management, and conservation of the Trinidad Piping-Guan (Pipile pipile), locally known as the Pawi. Participants will explore recent conservation initiatives, findings from the updated national management and recovery plan, and opportunities for collaboration, capacity building, and resource mobilization to support long-term species recovery.

Background and Rationale

The Trinidad Piping-Guan (Pipile pipile), locally known as the Pawi, is a Critically Endangered bird species found only in Trinidad. Once more widespread across the island, the species has experienced severe declines due primarily to illegal hunting and habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. Remaining populations are now largely confined to the forests of Trinidad’s Northern Range.

Despite legal protection and designation as an Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) by the Environmental Management Authority in 2005, the Pawi remains at significant risk of extinction without sustained and coordinated conservation action.

Recent collaborations among government agencies, universities, NGOs, and conservation partners between 2024 and 2026 have expanded survey efforts, outreach, and monitoring activities, including the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring to support what is considered the most comprehensive population assessment of the species to date. These efforts have also contributed to the development of an updated national Pawi Management and Recovery Plan, building upon earlier conservation strategies developed in 2011.

This session aligns closely with the conference theme, Birds, People, Prosperity: Harnessing the Caribbean’s Natural Advantage, by highlighting the importance of collaborative conservation planning, scientific research, community engagement, and long-term management in protecting one of the Caribbean’s most iconic endemic birds.

Session Objectives

• Share recent results from updated surveys and population assessments of the Pawi, including Passive Acoustic Monitoring efforts
• Review current threats, conservation challenges, and knowledge gaps affecting the species
• Present the updated national Pawi Management and Recovery Plan and its conservation priorities
• Explore opportunities for collaboration, capacity building, research, monitoring, and conservation implementation
• Foster dialogue among technical experts, conservation practitioners, government agencies, and stakeholders to support long-term recovery efforts

Session Structure and Format

The session will begin with short presentations summarizing recent conservation initiatives, updated population survey results, community engagement activities, and key components of the revised national management and recovery plan for the Pawi.

The majority of the session will focus on facilitated roundtable discussion centered around priority conservation actions, research and monitoring needs, implementation challenges, and opportunities for collaboration and capacity building. Participants will be encouraged to share experiences, expertise, and recommendations relevant to Cracid conservation, endangered species recovery, monitoring approaches, and conservation planning.

Feedback, recommendations, and discussion outcomes will be documented to help inform future implementation of the national Pawi Management and Recovery Plan.

Target Audience

Researchers, conservation practitioners, NGOs, government agencies, ecotourism and bird guides, students, and others interested in endangered species conservation, wildlife monitoring, and Caribbean bird conservation.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased awareness of the conservation status, threats, and recovery needs of the Pawi
• Sharing of recent research findings, monitoring approaches, and conservation strategies
• Identification of priority research, monitoring, and management needs
• Strengthened collaboration among local, regional, and international conservation partners
• Exploration of opportunities for funding, training, resource-sharing, and long-term capacity building to support Pawi conservation