Species in News: Black-necked Crane
Context:
A recent article titled "Black-necked crane: Sentinel of the high cold desert" highlights the precarious future of this iconic bird.
The black-necked crane, known for its evocative call that echoes across the cold desert valleys, faces increasing threats in its high-altitude habitats.
Physical Characteristics and Habitat:
The bird stands nearly 1.4 metres tall and is characterized by a largely whitish-grey body, which cuts a striking figure against the stark landscapes it inhabits.
It is a flagship species of the Tibetan and Trans-Himalayan plateau.
In India, its presence is notable in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
These cranes rely heavily on sensitive high-altitude marshes and wetlands for nesting and wintering.
Key Threats:
Feral Dogs:
A significant threat to their survival comes from free-ranging dog populations, which attack eggs and chicks.
Habitat Loss:
Wetland reclamation and the encroachment of human activity are shrinking their available habitat.
Unregulated Tourism:
The construction of tourism infrastructure near nesting and wintering sites disrupts their breeding cycles.
Experts urge that such infrastructure must be kept away from critical habitats.
Conservation Status:
Black-necked crane is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and appears in Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
It is also protected under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)