The white-winged guan has been the subject of a range of conservation efforts since its rediscovery. International trade in the species is banned under its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (3), and the white-winged guan and its habitat are legally protected within the Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge, an area established specifically to protect this species (2) (7) (10). In 1980, a captive breeding programme was set up (4) (12) (13) (14) (15), and the first captive-bred birds were reintroduced to Chaparri Private Conservation Area, a community owned and managed reserve, in 2001 (2) (9) (14) (16). Training programmes were provided for park guards (2) (10) (13), and the programme has also involved environmental education and outreach in local communities (2) (7) (12) (14) (17). The released birds have started breeding successfully in the wild, with over 50 wild-born chicks already added to the population (2) (15) (16) (17).
Further reintroductions have also taken place in Laquipampa Wildlife Reserve (7) and efforts are continuing to identify other potential reintroduction sites, such as El Angolo Hunting Reserve in Piura (2) (9). In addition to continued population monitoring, it has been recommended that more areas be surveyed for the presence of white-winged guans, and that a national conservation strategy be prepared for the species, as well as developing the potential for ecotourism, and undertaking further research into white-winged guan biology and behaviour (2) (5) (7) (15). With concerted conservation efforts, the success of the captive breeding programme and the involvement of local communities, it is hoped that the status of the white-winged guan may be improving, and that the future of this rare bird may now be more secure (2).