Concern for Blue Cranes as numbers fall
With Blue Crane numbers on the decline, especially in the Overberg, urgent conservation action is needed to protect South Africa’s national bird.
According to the latest research looking at the Blue Crane population, numbers fell approximately 19% across the country between 2011 and 2019. The decrease in the Overberg population matches the national trend, with the population peaking in 2010, and experiencing a significant decline in subsequent years.
This research, undertaken by Dr Christie Craig, Conservation Research Analyst at the International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust (ICF/EWT), confirmed that the Overberg is home to the largest number of Blue Cranes, estimated at around 25,000 individuals. The Karoo has the second-largest population, estimated at 16,000 birds.
“Foot off the pedal”
According to Kerryn Morrison, ICF/EWT Senior Manager: Africa, “We took our foot off the pedal since the 1990s, when there was considerable work to protect Blue Cranes. Today it’s clear that Blue Cranes need conservation action, based on the recent population declines.”
Given Dr Craig’s research findings, the ICF/EWT has now recommended that Blue Cranes are regionally uplisted to Vulnerable from Near Threatened on the Red Data Book of Birds.
The steps to protect Blue Cranes took centre stage at a Blue Crane Conservation Planning Workshop, led by the ICF/EWT, and held in October 2024. The workshop was held in the Overberg, at the Wildekrans Wine Estate close to Botriver. Conservation NGOs including the Overberg Crane Group, local farmers and conservation authorities such as CapeNature attended the event to provide input into a conservation plan.
Threats to Blue Cranes
Blue Cranes face a number of threats across South Africa, including the Overberg. Powerline collisions are considered the most significant threat, with 116 carcases found over the course of two years, mostly close to shallow waterbodies where cranes roost and drink.
Despite their preference for the agricultural landscape, there are also threats for the birds on farms, such as fence entanglement, getting caught in baling twine and chicks and juveniles drowning in water troughs.
Poisoning also remains a significant concern. While Blue Cranes are seldom the intended target, attempted poisoning of other birds such as Spurwing and Egyptian Geese at dams have in the past resulted in Blue Crane mortalities. According to Dr Craig at the workshop, “Modelling shows that should current poisoning rates increase, and more than 100 cranes are poisoned in the Overberg every year, then our national bird could be locally extinct in 100 years.”
Solutions for Overberg farmers
She says, “While these threats are worrying, there are also many solutions already available to farmers to reduce the risks. Removing baling twine from the lands, and placing rocks in a water trough for chicks to climb out should they fall in are quick solutions. Farmers can also mark breeding sites during harvest season, to avoid crushing eggs. And gates could be left open where livestock aren’t present, to allow crane chicks to get to water without becoming caught in the fences.”
The fall in breeding productivity, especially in the Overberg, is less well understood. Dr Craig’s research found that the average fledgling rate per pair in the Overberg (the number of chicks that survive per pair) is just 0.55, half the recorded rate 10 years prior. “We don’t yet understand what could be causing this drop in breeding productivity and more research is needed here,” she said.
According to Mick D’Alton, local farmer and co-founder of the Overberg Crane Group, the renewed impetus to protect the Blue Crane, especially in the Overberg, is a step in the right direction. “Many farmers in the Overberg care deeply about our national bird and understand that a healthy Blue Crane population means a healthy natural environment. But we can see now that as an Overberg community, it’s crucial to once again do everything we can to improve our practices and help Blue Cranes and the environment to thrive. And everyone has a role to play, especially our region’s farmers.”