Illegal trade (Domestic and International) As above in 2a Significance: High for the East African sub-species, Medium for the Southern African Flooding and drought Grey Crowned Cranes are dependent on wetlands for breeding. Making their nests within permanently wet areas of the wetland, usually in the wet season, chicks and nests are afforded some protection from predators. However, this behaviour renders them susceptible to flooding, which either results in the loss of suitable breeding habitat or the flooding of nests which drown eggs or small chicks. The impact of flooding is exacerbated in some areas by river regulation and changes in runoff due to catchment degradation, which result in rapid and less predictable flood peaks. At the other extreme, drought will result in unsuitable nesting habitat as access to the nest site is made easier. Changes in these hydrological states occur as a result of changes in the climate, human infrastructure (such as dams or roads), catchment degradation and the general lack of awareness that developments have on ecosystem services, and in this case, hydrology. Significance: Medium for East and Southern African sub-species Diseases As above in 2a Significance: Unknown for East African sub-species, Low for Southern African Natural predation Cranes have always been predated on to some degree. However, as the extent of natural habitat declines, predator pressures are likely to increase as they eke out an existence in areas that have sufficient prey items, which often also results in the diversification of prey. Significance: Low for Southern and East African sub-species Trampling by livestock High densities of livestock will encourage the use of all habitats irrespective of their suitability. This will result in their use of the wetter parts of the landscape and can result in the trampling of chicks. This is however, a low threat to Grey Crowned Cranes. Significance: Low for Southern and East African sub-species Egg collection Grey Crowned Crane eggs are sometimes collected for human consumption, particularly by fishermen who travel long distances, remaining away from home for extended periods of time. Although illegal, the lack of enforcement of environmental legislation perpetuates this behaviour. Significance: Low for East and Southern Africa sub-species Predation by dogs As in 2a above Significance: Low for East and Southern African sub-species Fire As below in 2c Significance: Low for East and Southern African sub-species
Protected under all Provincial Ordinances in South Africa (between 1973 and 2005) Protected under all Provincial Ordinances in South Africa (between 1973 and 2005) South Sudan* Wildlife Act, 2003 The Grey Crowned Crane is totally protected under the Wildlife Act, within and outside of protected areas. Tanzania National Wildlife Act (Cap 283), 2007 Wildlife Policy 1998 (revised 2007) Tanzania National Parks Act (Cap 284) National Environment Policy, 1997 National Environment Management Policy, 2004 Grey Crowned Cranes are protected from and consumptive use under Wildlife Act. Presently there is a moratorium on bird export from Tanzania Uganda The Constitution (1995) The Uganda Wildlife Policy (1999) The Uganda Wildlife Act (Cap. 200) of 2000 Problem Animal Management and Vermin Control Strategy (2002) The Local Governments Act (1997). MTTI Policy of wildlife (1999) National Environment Act (Cap 153) National Parks Act (Cap 227) National Tourism Act Grey Crowned Cranes are protected in Uganda under these legislations. Zambia Section 23 of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 12, 1998 The Grey Crowned Crane is a protected species under the Zambia Wildlife Act when in a National Park (implemented by the Zambia Wildlife Authority). Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Act (1975, amended in 2001) Environmental Management Act Forest Act District Councils Act Grey Crowned Cranes are recognised as a Specially Protected Species under the Parks and Wildlife Act and hence through this and the other legislation, are afforded protection Site protection and management Annex 2 provides details of the protection status and management of key sites where Grey Crowned Cranes are found, and Annex 3 details recent conservation measures in these and other areas. A brief overview by country is provided below, excluding those countries who hold only small populations of Grey Crowned Cranes: Angola The Grey Crowned Crane is found in the newly created National Park of Luengue – Luiana, where is benefit from this protection status. Burundi
Crowned Cranes is minimised 3.1 Afforestation does not in or close beside Grey Crowned Crane habitat No afforestation close to or in Grey Crowned Crane habitat Land use maps and satellite telemetry 3.2 Destruction and degradation of Grey Crowned Crane habitats by agricultural practices are avoided Grey Crowned Cranes present and breeding Good breeding productivity Surveys Breeding success data 3.3 No further draining of Grey Crowned wetland sites No new drains in wetland sites important to Grey Crowned Cranes Satellite imagery Conservation projects on the ground 3.4 Livestock grazing does not degrade Grey Crowned Crane habitats Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data 3.5 Infrastructure development on Grey Crowned Crane sites is minimal Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Development authorisations / permits 3.6 Impact of mining on Grey Crowned sites is minimal Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Development authorisations / permits 3.7 Pollution does not adversely impact on Grey Crowned Cranes and their habitats Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Development authorisations / permits 3.8 Impact of invasive plants (AIP) on Grey Crowned Cranes is reduced and /or prevented Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Satellite imagery or maps showing reduction in invasion 3.9 Hydrological regimes of key Grey Crowned Crane sites are maintained as close as possible to natural status Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Satellite imagery or maps showing reduction in invasion 3.10 Impacts of land subdivision on Grey Crowned habitats are minimised Grey Crowned Cranes still present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Satellite imagery or maps showing reduction in invasion 3.11 Siltation of Grey Crowned Crane sites is minimised Grey Crowned Cranes present with good breeding productivity Survey data Breeding productivity data Satellite imagery or maps showing reduction in invasion
Table 6. Results and actions under objective 1: to reduce adult and juvenile mortality and loss of birds Result Action Priority Time scale Organisations responsible Poisoning incidents do not contribute to the decline in the population Develop and / or identify cost-effective and affordable methods of crop damage prevention Essential Medium Scientific bodies 1.1.2 Strengthen regulation on import, possession and use of poisons Medium Medium Relevant state authorities 1.1.3 Strengthen enforcement of regulations on use of poisons Medium Medium Relevant authorities Campaign for responsible use of poisons Medium Medium Relevant authorities 1.2 Legal trade in wild birds does not contribute to the decline of the population Maintain suspension of trade until the population has increased significantly Essential Ongoing - Rolling Relevant authorities; CITES If reopened, trade shall be based on non-detrimental findings Essential Immediate Relevant state authorities If legal trade reopened, introduce universal identification of traded birds Essential Immediate Relevant state authorities Raise awareness amongst important target groups on the detrimental impact of trade in a declining population High Rolling Relevant state authorities 1.3 No illegal trade is taking place Regional zoo associations implement studbooks and regional management for Grey Crowned Cranes Essential Short Regional Zoo Associations WAZA implements a Global Species Management Plan for Grey Crowned Cranes High Short WAZA Increase penalties for illegal trade of Grey Crowned Cranes, where necessary Essential Ongoing - Medium Relevant state authorities Strengthen enforcement of regulations on illegal trade Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities Raise awareness within the judicial systems, customs and other enforcement agencies Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs Raise awareness within the local communities on the illegality of Grey Crowned Crane trade Essential Rolling Relevant authorities, NGOs Raise awareness within the end segment of the illegal market chain Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs, Zoo Associations
Develop and implement an effective system to manage and control birds already in captivity Essential Short-Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs, Zoo Associations 1.4 Hunting and trapping are significantly reduced 1.4.1 Raise awareness amongst local communities Medium Rolling Relevant state authorities, local governments, NGOs Strengthen enforcement of relevant legislation / regulation Essential Rolling Relevant authorities Generate difference income opportunities for hunters and trappers Medium Relevant state authorities, NGOs 1.5 No significant mortality is caused by power lines 1.5.1 Develop and apply cost effective and affordable mitigation measures High Ongoing - Rolling Relevant state authorities, utility companies 1.5.2 Comprehensive and objective SEA / EIA procedures take full account of Grey Crowned Cranes and its habitats Essential Relevant state authorities, utility companies 1.5.3 Proactively cooperate with spatial planning agencies and utility companies Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs 1.5.4 Fully implement the resolutions and apply conservation guidelines on avoiding and mitigating impact of power lines on birds adopted under AEWA and CMS Essential Relevant authorities, utility companies 1.5.5 awareness and / or provide training amongst target groups High Ongoing - Rolling NGOs Table 7. Results and actions under objective 2: to increase breeding success and reproductive rates Result Action Priority Time scale Organisations responsible 2.1 Grey Crowned Cranes are not disturbed during the breeding season Acquire land at key sites Low Long Relevant authorities, NGOs Designate key as protected areas Essential Long Relevant state authorities Ensured organised and regulated use of sites by local communities (e.g. through management plans) Essential Ongoing - Rolling Relevant state authorities, local governments, NGOs Raise awareness amongst local communities about their impact on Grey Crowned Cranes Essential Relevant state authorities, local governments, NGOs Medium-
2.2 Impact of droughts and flooding on Grey Crowned Cranes is minimised 2.2.1 Develop and / or manage catchment management plans for key watersheds (taking into account effects of climate change) High Long - Rolling Relevant state authorities, local government, NGOs 2.2.2 Operation of dams and other water infrastructure takes full account of the needs of cranes and wetland ecosystem services High Long - Rolling Relevant state authorities Raise awareness amongst relevant target groups on ecosystem services of wetlands Essential Relevant state authorities, NGOs 8. Results and actions under objective 3: to significantly reduce further loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat Result Action Priority Time scale Organisations responsible Afforestation does not occur in or close beside Grey Crowned Crane habitat Proactively seek prevention of planned afforestation potentially impacting on Grey Crowned Crane habitat High Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs 3.1.2 Introduce and / or enforce regulation on afforestation in and around wetlands Essential Medium - Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs 3.2 Destruction and degradation of Grey Crowned crane habitats by agricultural practices are avoided 3.2.1 Provide alternative livelihoods in order to reduce extent or agriculture and protect ecosystem services in key Grey Crowned Crane sites High Ongoing - Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs 3.2.2 Provide best practice guidelines for environmentally friendly agriculture at Grey Crowned Crane sites High Scientific bodies, NGOs, relevant state authorities 3.2.3 Support local communities to implement these guidelines at key Grey Crowned Crane sites High Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs 3.2.4 Carry out EIA of large scale commercial agricultural schemes for Grey Crowned Crane sites Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities, companies 3.2.5 Introduce and / or enforce regulation on agriculture development in and around wetlands Essential Ongoing - Rolling Relevant state authorities 3.2.6 Monitor and engage in planning of agriculture development (at site, or higher as necessary) Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities, NGOs 3.3.1 Strengthen enforcement of relevant legislation preventing drainage of wetlands Essential Rolling Relevant state authorities
4.11 An analysis of effectiveness of conservation measures developed 4.11.1 Develop protocols to measure the effectiveness of conservation measures and encourage uptake of the protocol High Short – medium Relevant state authorities, Scientific bodies, NGOs 4.12 The demand and market chains understood 4.12.1 Research project conducted High Short – medium Scientific bodies, NGOs 4.13 Spatial and temporal movement patters understood 4.13.1 Research project conducted High Medium Scientific bodies, NGOs 4.14 The potential risks arising from strategic urban, infrastructure, energy and land-use development plans analyses and assessed 4.14.1 Research project conducted High Short – Medium Scientific bodies, NGOs
Annex 1: Ranking of threats by country Grey Crowned Crane - overview of national significance scores per threat driver (1 – Critical; 2 – High; 3 – Moderate; 4 – Low; 5 – Local; 6 – Unknown; Blank cell – Not applicable) (compiled by the Grey Crowned Crane action planning workshop participants, 9-13 September 2013, Musanze, Rwanda) Driver Rwanda 500 ind. Burundi 100 ind. Uganda 7,000 ind. DRC ? 5,000 ind. Kenya 12,000 ind. Tanzania 1,500 ind. Zambia 2,000 ind. East Africa Zimbabwe 2,000 ind. RSA 7,000 ind. South Africa Poisoning 6 3 4 3 5 6 3 4 3 3 Legal trade in wild birds (int) – potential 4 3 5 2 6 3 4 4 Legal trade in wild birds (dom) – potential 3 4 6 4 4 4 Illegal trade (dom & int) 2 4 3 4 5 6 5 2 5 3 3 Hunting and trapping 3 4 2 4 4 4 6 3 4 4 Power lines 6 4 2 6 4 4/6 6 2 potential 4 3 3 Telecom infrastructure 6 3 3 6 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 Diseases 6 6 6 5 5 6 6 6 6 4 4 Predation by dogs 6 4 6 5 6/4 6 4 4 4 Natural predation 6 4 6 4 6 eggs / 4 adults 4 4 6 3 4 Livestock herding 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 Human disturbance 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 2 3 3 3
Annex 2: Key sites Country Name Area (ha) Lat Long Estimated numbers Protected Area Names Protection Status International Designation Southern African Grey Crowned Crane South Africa Moist Drakensberg foothill grasslands of the southern Natal and northern Eastern Cape Provinces 670 000 30o 14’ 48.58” S 29o 20’ 40.99” E 2 500 Largely unprotected Unprotected KwaZulu-Natal Mistbelt Grasslands IBA, Franklin Vlei IBA, Mount Curry Nature Reserve IBA, Penny Park IBA South Africa Enkangala Grasslands, straddling northern KwaZulu-Natal, southern Mpumalanga and the north-eastern Free State 1 600 000 27° 21’ 03.96” S 30° 07’ 58.63” E 600 Kwamandlangimpisi Protected Environment, but largely unprotected Largely unprotected Grasslands IBA South Africa KwaZulu-Natal Midlands 280 800 29° 29’ 21.74” S 30° 12’ 59.31” E 150 Largely unprotected Unprotected Umgeni Vlei is a Ramsar Site; Umvoti Vlei IBA; Hlatikulu Nature Reserve IBA, Karkloof Nature Reserve IBA South Africa Mpumalanga Highveld Grasslands, encompassing in particular Chrissiesmeer Lakes District and Steenkampsberg Wet Grasslands 280 000 25° 40’ 58.42” S 30° 00’ 58.50’ E 300 Chrissiesmeer Protected Environment; Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment; Verloren Valei Nature Reserve Limited protection Verloren Valei Nature Reserve is a Ramsar Site, IBA, Chrissies Pans IBA Zulu
Zimbabwe Driefontein Grasslands encompassing districts of Gutu, Chirumanzu and Chikomba located in the central region of Zimbabwe 20 000 17° 59′ S 25° 52′ E Driefontein Grasslands (approx. 100) Not protected No formal national protection status Driefontein Grasslands is an IBA and Ramsar site Zimbabwe Western region of the country, (irrigated farms and pans in the Nkayi and Lupane districts) 80 000 18° 56′ S 27° 46′ E likely to be over 75 Larger proportion not protected but includes the Mbazhe Pan, listed as a Bird Sanctuary managed by the and Wildlife Management Authority. Largely unprotected None East African Grey Crowned Cranes Kenya The north-east Lake Victoria Basin in western Kenya encompassing the counties of Busia, Bungoma, Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia 0° 27’ 39.38” N 34° 06’ 41.64” E 1000 – 2000 Largely unprotected Saiwa Swamp National Park incorporated Largely unprotected Yale (part of Busia County) is an IBA Uganda The west-southwest Lake Victoria Basin, encompassing southwestern Uganda and northern Rwanda, and extending marginally westwards into the catchment of Lake Edward. 1° 24’ 59.29” S 29° 59’ 23.79” E 1000 - 1200 None Not Protected Only Nyamuriro has international designation as an IBA Uganda Kaku-Kiyanja Wetland and surround in Uganda None Not Protected None
Zambia / Angola The Bulozi Floodplains, encompassing Liuwa Plains and the Barotse Floodplain in western Zambia, and extending north westwards into eastern Angola 900,000 ha; 15° 15' S 023° 15' E >1000 Plains National Park, Zambezi West Game Management Area. National Park Ramsar Site, IBA Zambia The Luangwa valley 250,000 ha; 12° 40' S 032° 02' E 400 - 1000 Largely protected as National Park of Game Management Area. Major Parks include: South Luangwa, National Park, North Luangwa National Park, Luambe National Park National Park, Game Management Area (GMA) Ramsar Site, IBA Zambia Flats and associated breeding grounds 600,500 ha; 15°41'S 027°16'E 200-500 Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National Park, Flats Game Management Area National Park, Game Management Area (GMA) Ramsar Site, IBA