Under such circumstances, the margin of hope for survival of cranes and other large wild animals is thin. The success of the Sandhill, Eurasian, and Demoiselle Cranes can be attributed in part to the benefits they derive from foraging in agricultural landscapes. There is speculation that their numbers may now be much higher than in the past due to the abundance of available crop foods. In some areas, and at some times of the year, foraging cranes can cause damage to crops. Such damage can be especially severe in the spring when cranes probe for newly planted seeds or pull up and consume seedlings.
Damage can also occur in the fall when migratory cranes are in large flocks and crops are ripening.
However, the planting of lure crops near roosting areas has been effective in keeping cranes away from commercial crops. Incentive and compensation programs may also reduce the economic burden for farmers who occasionally experience heavy damage. In all cases, additional research is needed to ascertain the actual timing and extent of damage, and to devise mitigation techniques and programs. Feeding Stations With the possible exception of the Siberian Crane, cranes are readily attracted to baiting sites. Feeding stations for Red-crowned Cranes have also been established on the species wintering grounds in Korea and China.