The populations of the two species of Andean Flamingos Phoenicopterus andinus and P. jamesi are included in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). An MoU aimed at improving the conservation status of the species and their habitats was concluded among the range states during COP9 on 4 December 2008.

The high Andean flamingos undertake continuous migrations between the South America wetlands of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru to forage and to search for breeding sites. The populations of these flamingos have been subject to a drastic reduction and fragmentation of their habitats. According to IUCN, the global conservation status of the Andean flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus) is “Vulnerable” and that of James’s flamingo (Phoenicopterus jamesi) is “Nearly Threatened”.

The flamingos’ habitat is found in the Central Dry Puna of the Andes, an eco-region absolutely unique in the world. Its altitude ranges between 2,300 and 4,800 metres above sea level (with the exception of Laguna Mar Chiquita in Argentina at only 66 metres above sea level). It is populated by biota well adapted to high elevations and climatic extremes. The High Andean wetlands are mostly saline in nature. They are home to several endemic and migratory, as well as nomadic, bird species and other wildlife dependent on these wetlands. The Andean Puna is dry and cold and has a limited capacity to support agriculture and classical cattle ranching, and therefore it can only sustain relatively low numbers of people.