International Crane Foundation Advocates for Crane Protection to Celebrate World Wildlife Day

CONTACT: Barbara Hamoonga, Communications & Marketing Specialist, +260977425015

Zambia, Lusaka – March 3, 2025. In celebration of World Wildlife Day today, the International Crane Foundation is advocating for the protection of cranes and their habitats in Africa, including supporting conservation efforts and promoting sustainable land use. The theme for 2025 is “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and the Planet.”

Wildlife provides essential services that support human livelihoods and the achievement of our Sustainable Development Goals. Forests alone contain 60,000 different tree species, 80% of the world’s amphibian species, and 75% of the world’s bird species[1]. With more than one million species now estimated to be threatened with extinction and the intensifying triple planetary crisis[2], innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent.

The International Crane Foundation works worldwide to conserve cranes. Cranes are part of wildlife and a symbol of thriving ecosystem. They are also endangered species. In Africa, the Foundation protects endangered crane species like Wattled Cranes, Grey Crowned Crane, and Blue Cranes, among others.

In commemorating World Wildlife Day 2025, the Foundation is advocating for the following.:

1. Cranes: Symbols of Wetland Health—Cranes thrive in healthy wetland ecosystems. By protecting their habitats, we ensure clean water, biodiversity, and climate resilience for both wildlife and people.
2. Safeguarding Cranes Safeguards Communities—Many communities depend on the same wetlands and grasslands that cranes call home. Conserving these habitats supports livelihoods, water security, and sustainable development.
3. Stop Habitat Loss, Secure the Future—Agricultural expansion, land degradation, and infrastructure development threaten crane habitats. Sustainable land-use practices and conservation-friendly policies are essential to their survival.
4. Say No to Illegal Trade and Poaching—Cranes are threatened by illegal capture, trade, and disturbance. Strengthening enforcement, raising awareness, and empowering local communities can help protect them.
5. Climate Action for Crane Conservation—Climate change is altering wetland ecosystems, impacting crane breeding and migration. Global efforts to mitigate climate change and restore degraded habitats are crucial.
6. Community Involvement is Key—Local communities play a vital role in crane conservation. Supporting community-led conservation programs ensures long-term protection for cranes and their habitats.
7. Science and Conservation Go Hand in Hand—Monitoring crane populations, researching migration patterns, and implementing conservation strategies based on scientific data help us make informed decisions for their protection.
8. A Future for Cranes is a Future for Us All—Cranes are indicators of a balanced ecosystem. Their conservation is not just about saving a species but ensuring a thriving planet for future generations.

This World Wildlife Day let’s commit to protecting cranes and their habitats. Support conservation efforts, promote sustainable land use, and spread awareness about these magnificent birds!

Photo: A Wattled Crane adult and its chick rest on their nest by Daniel Dolpire

[1]  UNEP-WCMC (2020). “Earth’s Biodiversity Depends on The World’s Forests”.

[2]  IPBES (2019) “Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services”.