Home 
Network News Network News EWT: Kerryn Morrison wins award for protection of African Cranes
Network News Network News EWT: Kerryn Morrison wins award for protection of African Cranes
|
EWT: Kerryn Morrison wins award for protection of African Cranes |
|
Kerryn Morrison, manager of the EWT’s African Cranes, Wetlands and Communities programme (ACWAC) has been awarded the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (PAAZAB) Conservation Award. Kerryn was recognised for her unstinting efforts to implement the African Crane Trade Project, focusing on the threats posed to Africa’s declining crane populations by the removal of cranes from the wild and illegal trade. The nomination described Kerryn as a dedicated, far-sighted individual with diplomatic coordination skills, and highlighted Kerryn’s role in showing how local and international zoos can be a part of the solution to declining wild crane populations, rather than part of the problem contributing to this decline. Initial investigations in the African Crane Trade Project have shown that the four African crane species, namely the Black Crowned (Balearica pavonina), Blue (Anthropoides paradisea), Grey Crowned (Balearica regulorum) and Wattled (Bugeranus carunculatus) Cranes, are all affected by illegal removal from the wild for food, traditional use, domestication and illegal trade markets. Poisoning, collision with powerlines and habitat loss place further strain on African cranes. According to survey data over the past 20 years, the decline in the Black Crowned Crane population has been between 22% and 33%, a loss of about 1 100 birds per year; and in the Grey Crowned Crane population, between 41% and 53%, a loss of about 2 650 birds per year. Furthermore, recent surveys in countries long thought to be strongholds for Wattled Cranes, namely Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia, show that the global Wattled Crane population is only half of what has been reported in recent years. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) database, the destination of wild-caught cranes from Africa has shifted largely from western countries to the Middle and Far East. While trade alone may not drive crane populations to extinction, it is an added pressure to already declining populations that is clearly unsustainable. A workshop was held in Naivasha, Kenya from 8 – 11 October 2007 to develop a mitigation plan for the protection of African cranes. Facilitated by the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) southern Africa, the workshop hosted 25 participants from eight countries, representing local communities, NGOs, universities, governments and zoos. The workshop highlighted the need to address poverty, harmful cultural beliefs, local level lack of awareness and community empowerment needs, while all agreed that a review of current legislation is needed to identify gaps and loopholes. Furthermore, it was clear that more information on crane biology and ecology is needed, as well as data on the extent of crane trade, factors driving the international demand for cranes, the routes used by illegal traders and the mortality rates of illegally traded cranes. Networks for information exchange also need to be established, and communities must be involved in research and conservation programmes to ensure better participation and results. Lastly, sustainable captive crane populations need to be established as a safeguard against future losses, and broader awareness must be created around the crane trade and its effects on wild populations. Additional mitigation measures will be implemented as the trade threat becomes more clearly understood, and these will over time contribute to accumulated conservation action securing the future of wild cranes in Africa. ACWAC is a joint initiative between the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the International Crane Foundation (ICF). It aims to conserve cranes and their habitats, by promoting cooperation among African nations, in partnership with the people who depend on these same habitats for their livelihoods. In addition to the African Crane Trade Project, the programme is planning the development of a satellite tracking project for Wattled Cranes across the southern African subregion, to be coordinated under the African Wattled Crane Programme. A project is also being developed to better understand the status and distribution of, and threats to Grey Crowned Cranes, which will inform future conservation efforts for this species. Community-based wetland conservation projects are supported and where needed, will be adapted to become more effective, while ACWAC is also working with the EWT’s Wildlife and Energy Interaction Group (WEIG) to develop a project mitigating the potentially negative impacts of powerlines on Africa’s cranes, and investigating alternative energies. ACWAC thanks the Whitley Fund for Nature, SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, North Carolina Zoo, North of England Zoological Gardens / Keeper for a Day Fund, Johannesburg Zoo, Orient Express Safaris, the Dohmen Family Foundation, Lufthansa, Amarula and PAAZAB for their support. Photos are available on request: Contact: Kerryn Morrison Manager, African Cranes, Wetlands and Communities Private Bag X11 Parkview 2122 South Africa Tel: +27 11 486 1102 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it www.ewt.org.za Issued by: Hayley Komen Conservation Programme Developer Tel: +27 11 486 1102 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
