The latest Regional Red Data Book indicates that while conditions have improved for Wattled Cranes, the Blue Crane’s status has slipped.
By James van den Heever
On the plus front, the latest Regional Red Data Book of endangered species lists the Wattled Crane as moving from Critically Endangered to Endangered in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the press release, these birds were listed as Critically Endangered regionally in 2015, with a population of only 267 in the province. The population now stands at 304, which indicates a small increase and, it is hoped, one that will continue.
It goes without saying that this small increase is nothing but a hopeful indicator—the Wattled Crane population remains small and vulnerable.
Elsewhere in South Africa and globally, Wattled Cranes are still on the decline and immediate, consistent conservation measures are needed.
The importance of sustained conservation is emphasised by the fact that South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, has been uplisted from Near Threatened to Vulnerable. This means it could be extinct in the wild in the medium term.
The decline in the Blue Crane population is most marked in the Overberg area of the Western Cape, where the country’s highest densities of Blue Cranes are found. According to the citizen science project, Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR), the Overberg’s Blue Crane population has declined by a significant 44%.
This decline follows past success in conserving Blue Cranes in the Western Cape and Karroo. Because resources are limited, conservation efforts were reduced. The subsequent decline indicates the need to keep successful conservation projects running for longer—or ideally to maintain them in perpetuity.
It is clear that cooperation with farmers is vital in the long-term preservation of cranes of all species, particularly because many of them exist outside of protected areas.
Read the full press release about the downlisting of the Wattled Cranes.
Read the full press release about the uplisting of the Blue Cranes. Read about the launch of a Blue Crane rehabilitation centre in the Kogelberg.
