Blue Crane release: A happy end to the Overberg’s fires
The fires in the Overberg in January had devastating effects – also for some of the Overberg’s Blue Cranes.
During the chaos of the fire in Franskraal, just outside Gansbaai in the Western Cape, two tiny Blue Crane chicks were caught up in a backburn.
They were rescued – just in time. And taken to the hard-working Southern Wildlife & Environmental Society (based in Struisbaai). They were named Dot and Dash.
And while Dot succumbed to the stress of the fire two days later, Dash survived – and flourished.
4 MONTHS LATER
it was time for Dash to first test his wings
in the unrestricted landscape on the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special
Management Area. And then to join a flock of Blue Crane feeding close by.
4 MONTHS LATER
it was time for Dash to first test his wings
in the unrestricted landscape on the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special
Management Area. And then to join a flock of Blue Crane feeding close by.
Here’s what happened:
ACTION TO SAVE OUR BLUE CRANES
We must protect the habitat of the Blue Crane. Awareness raising campaigns need to also encourage good practice when poisons are used. Campaigns must inform people not to steal Blue Crane chicks. Negotiations with Eskom must continue to address power line collisions. And we must assess all wind turbine applications, and prevent turbines that may threaten our Blue Cranes.