Black Dorcopsis
CR

Black Dorcopsis

Dorcopsis atrata

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_dorcopsis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Black Dorcopsis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from logging and agricultural conversion of its lowland forest habitat in Papua New Guinea. Hunting pressure for subsistence and commercial purposes has intensified as human settlements expand into remaining forest areas. The species' restricted range and small population size make it extremely vulnerable to local extinctions from these combined pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Black Dorcopsis inhabits lowland tropical rainforests and forest edges in Papua New Guinea, typically found in dense primary and secondary forest areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. It prefers areas with thick understory vegetation that provides cover and foraging opportunities.

Conservation measures underway

Policies and regulations

Frequently asked questions

Why is Black Dorcopsis classified as Critically Endangered?
Black Dorcopsis is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Black Dorcopsis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat destruction from logging and agricultural conversion of its lowland forest habitat in Papua New Guinea. Hunting pressure for subsistence and commercial purposes has intensified as human settlements expand into remaining forest areas. The species' restricted range and small population size make it extremely vulnerable to local extinctions from these combined pressures.
Where does Black Dorcopsis live?
Black Dorcopsis occurs in Papua New Guinea. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Black Dorcopsis?
The main threats to Black Dorcopsis are 2.1, 5.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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