The Blue Crane is one of 15 species of cranes worldwide. The Blue Crane is also the National Bird of South Africa and is threatened according to the IUCN red data list. These are special birds that display wonderful parenting skills, a master of martial arts when threatened and the most beautiful dancing displays during the breeding season. They are long lived birds that only breed once a year and they are monogamous. Are you interested?

To most people in the Western Cape, the privilege of seeing our National Bird all throughout the Cape has masked the fact that the Blue Crane is in trouble. How could they be threatened when we see them all the time? But the truth is they are. The common sightings of them are perfectly normal when one considers that the Western Cape holds about 50% of their population. Go anywhere else in South Africa and you will have to search with difficulty to spot them. If we had to lose the Cape population tomorrow the cranes are in big trouble. Unlike the other two species of crane in South Africa, the Blue Crane is the only one that is near endemic. Endemic means that Blue Cranes are only found here in South Africa and the ‘near’ part of the word pertains to the tiny population in Namibia. If we lose our Blue Cranes, that’s it…game over.

Blue cranes in the Western Cape are found on unnatural habitat and therefore face many threats. The crane can become a problem for farmers through crop damage and the ever so popular habit of feeding from feed troughs. This often leads to active persecution through poisoning. Other threats cranes face are collisions with power lines and fences, bailing twine becoming entangled on their legs and feet as well as the capture and keep of cranes.

SOUTH AFRICAN CRANE WORKING GROUP

My name is Bronwyn Botha and my aim is to look after the cranes in the Western Cape. I am a field worker with the South African Crane Working Group (SACWG) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). SACWG is a working group of the EWT aimed at conserving South Africa’s Cranes. My job within the Western Cape is diverse.

The Blue Cranes are special in so many ways. Yes you might think I am biased, but take the time to watch them, find out about them, and you will understand. Let us work together to save our national bird and the treasure of the Western Cape.

Within the Western Cape you can contact Bronwyn Botha on 082 3200911. For more information please visit www.ewt.org.za.