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Welcome to Our WebsiteWattled CranesConserving South Africa’s most endangered Crane species,the Wattled Crane!
Wattled Cranes by Mike Tippett, of Elegant Square Photography
Category: News
Posted by: admin
Many might not know that there are fewer than 260 Wattled Cranes left in South Africa, with more than 85 % of the country’s population located in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands and Drakensberg. The total population consists of approximately 80 breeding pairs, all of which are completely dependent on high altitude, permanent wetlands for breeding. The effort to conserve this species is a several pronged approach ranging from habitat rehabilitation and protection to captive breeding and supplementation. Thanks to landowners, stakeholders like Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Endangered Wildlife Trust, KZN Crane Foundation, Johannesburg Zoo, Working for Wetlands and the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria and valuable sponsors like Rand Merchant Bank, PG Bison and Lovemore Brothers, it is possible to implement the strategy to conserve Wattled Cranes. This year the EWT’s Drakensberg Crane Conservation Project, which is sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank, PG Bison and Lovemore Brothers successfully collected six abandoned Wattled Crane eggs, all of which successfully hatched and are currently being reared and cared for by the Johannesburg Zoo as part of the Wattled Crane Recovery Programme. These birds will form part of the essential captive breeding flock and one day their offspring will be used to supplement the wild population. Later in the season, the colour ringing of wild Wattled Crane chicks of between 8-14 weeks of age becomes a priority. So far six Wattled Crane chicks have been caught and colour ringed, all of which were successfully released after capture. Colour ringing is a safe, cost effective and efficient method of marking individuals so as to identify them over time. Each crane chick is colour ringed, before they can fly, with a unique colour combination on each leg. The ringing can allow us to get crucial information about age of first breeding, age specific mortality, movement and longevity. All of which ensures we can do the best job possible to conserve the species, as efforts will be based on good information and data. The decline of Wattled Cranes in the country has halted, but we have a long way to go to ensure Wattled Cranes will grace the skies of South Africa for generations to come. For more information, please contact Tanya Smith of the Endangered Wildlife Trust on 082 394 7476 or tanyas@ewt.org.za Article by: Tanya Smith 
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.JPG "Wattled Cranes by Mike Tippett, of Elegant Square Photography")
This year has proved to be a year where efforts to conserve South Africa’s Critically Endangered Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) have moved steadily towards a future where the persistence of Wattled Cranes is not in question. The good late summer rains and fairly consistent rain and snowfall through winter, placed the perfect platform for a successful Wattled Crane breeding season.