At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Tristan albatross is a great albatross that breeds almost entirely on one remote South Atlantic island. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Its chicks are attacked by introduced mice.
Range & habitat
Breeds almost entirely on Gough Island in the South Atlantic.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Introduced house mice that attack chicks
- Longline fishing bycatch
- A single main breeding site
Why it matters
A great albatross threatened by introduced mice and fishing, the Tristan albatross is a flagship for island restoration and seabird-safe fisheries.
Sources
Sources for Tristan Albatross
- IUCN Red List — look up Tristan Albatross (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
How can mice threaten a huge albatross?
Introduced house mice on Gough Island attack and kill albatross chicks, which have no defence against them — a major cause of breeding failure for the Tristan albatross.
Why is the Tristan albatross Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite introduced mice attacking chicks, longline fishing bycatch, and reliance on a single main breeding island. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: