The Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis) was uplisted on the IUCN Red List from Least Concern to Endangered due to a very rapid population reduction occurring in the last three decades.

In 2009, the World Parrot Trust recognised this urgency and funded biologist Toa Kyle’s census of the wild population. A survey was begun by WPT’s Dr. Jamie Gilardi in May of 2008 and continued by Kyle in southern Guyana a year later. He found that one population, in the Karasabai region of Brazil, is growing in numbers.  Overall, however, the study concluded that the general population has declined significantly and is in urgent need of protection.

The WPT worked to encourage the protection and recovery of this species. It was also recommended that the species be listed on CITES Appendix I. Work to prevent cross-border trade quickly and protect the species’ preferred habitat was suggested, as well as conducting surveys to locate important additional populations.