Monitoring breeding productivity is important for the conservation of a species due to the need for information on the rate at which individuals can be replaced in a population, particularly threatened species. Work on the Red Crowned Crane has highlighted the importance of monitoring breeding success and recruitment in addition to population size. It is planned to monitor breeding success in each major crane population around the country by tracking the outcome of nesting attempts of a sample of breeding birds. Colour Ringing Colour ringing can be an effective method of monitoring crane movements. Reports of colour-ringed bird sightings are recorded.
Powerline collision is a major factor causing crane mortality.
Kevin McCann's research in KwaZulu-Natal into this subject confirmed its serious impact. Powerline deaths have long been an issue for large raptors and consequently Eskom and EWT have formed a strategic partnership in order to address this problem. Poisoning Poisoning has been a major factor contributing to crane mortality and the early 1980's probably accounted for major population declines in eastern South Africa. Historically, cranes were poisoned because they were seen to be crop pests. Currently however, they are accidentally poisoned by the misuse of agrochemicals or poisoned grain left out to catch guinea fowl for the pot.