Ancient. Elegant. Endangered. Cranes inspire us to work for a better world. Reflecting on our golden anniversary, I am drawn to the amazing places where cranes have led us, and how decades of commitment and partnership inspire innovative new ways to safeguard cranes and the lands and waters we share.
“This is the story of the last of the western population of Siberian Cranes, a group discovered by Dr. Ali Ashtiani in 1978. They numbered 12-14 cranes and inhabited a wetland complex where local people trapped wild ducks and geese.
As the only member of the Living Lakes Network from China, Poyang Lake is Asia’s largest wintering ground for migratory birds. It also offers habitats and shelter for the Yangtze finless porpoise and many other rare and endangered species.
Together we must learn, adapt, and improve our wetland conservation and management practices to encourage and sustain people and wildlife. Wetlands can serve as centers of resiliency as we face the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Ulan Bator, Mongolia – Following the designation of the Khurkh-Khuiten River Valleys in Northeast Mongolia as a National Nature Reserve by the Mongolian Government in May 2021, this week the Department of the Protected Areas Management at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Governor of Khentii Province, together with leaders of the four counties surrounding the Nature Reserve signed an agreement with the Wildlife Science and Conservation Center, a Mongolian non-government organization to coordinate management of the landmark reserve. Read more about the reserve here.
The unprecedented loss of up to 8,000 Eurasian Cranes to an H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Israel’s Hula Valley in December 2021 was a tragic example of the potential for this virus to sicken wild birds and now cranes in particular.
As important symbols of longevity, happiness and nobility, Cranes present a beautiful image in Chinese culture and are often associated with blessings and good wishes. Therefore, the International Crane Foundation’s China Program initiated an online campaign during the 2021 Spring Festival under the program “One Yangtze River With Thousands of Cranes,” supported by Huatai Securities. The Yangtze River basin supports several species of wintering cranes, including nearly the entire population of the critically endangered Siberian Crane.
