Why conserve cranes?
Cranes are the ambassadors for two of South Africa’s most important ecosystems, the wetlands and grasslands that make up our water catchment areas. All South African residents are dependent upon the careful management of these biodiversity hot spots as are South Africa’s cranes. These ecosystems provide food, clothing, bio-diversity, carbon storage, housing materials, water storage and purification, flood control, recharge of groundwater supplies, and recreational and tourism opportunities. Efforts to protect cranes bring the need to conserve these ecosystems into sharp focus and the cranes reliance on these ecosystems is a reflection of our own survival needs.
What We Do: Our Key Programs
Education
Biodiversity
Conservation
The Three South African Crane Species
No more spectacular group of birds exist than the worlds 15 species of cranes, and probably no single group is in more need of protection. The number of these ancient birds has been badly depleted over the last century.
All cranes are large to very large birds, including the world's tallest flying bird. They are stately inhabitants of open wetlands, wet plains and grasslands and they occur on all continents except Antarctica and South America. In South Africa, we have three species of cranes, the Grey Crowned Crane, the Wattled Crane, and our National bird, the Blue Crane, which is endemic to South Africa. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back.
Most species of cranes depend on wetlands and grasslands for nesting and foraging. With the destruction of these habitats, for agriculture, the birds have been affected by human activities and most are classified as threatened, to critically endangered. The plight of the whooping cranes of North America inspired some of the first US legislation to protect endangered species. And in South Africa, by the late 1980's the Wattled Crane was in critical danger of extinction, with only 80 breeding pairs remaining in the wild.
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Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Nature Reserve
The Bill Barnes Crane and Oribi Nature Reserve lies between the N3 motorway and Nottingham Road. The P147 district road is its eastern boundary, and from the road, one looks across the Reserve and the whole sweep of the central Ukuhlamba-Drakensberg, including Giants Castle. It is a unique gift to the midlands community, as a model for environmentally sustainable farming practices, but it is also an unused treasure for people with a real interest in and concern for the environment. The reserve is accessible to nature lovers, whilst ensuring its status as a sanctuary for some of our most threatened species.
Offering extensive opportunities for trail running, walking and bird watching for nature lovers.
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