Let’s save the crested crane

With its distinctive golden crown, red throat pouch and slender black legs, the crested crane is beloved in Uganda - featuring on our flag and coat of arms.

With its numbers dwindling at an alarming rate, the crane is now listed endangered and as a nation, it is imperative that we take immediate action to protect this iconic species and preserve our natural heritage.

The crane has become synonymous with Uganda, with the national carrier - the Uganda Airlines – taking pride in the bird, the national sports teams being named after the bird, and so many others. The crane is not only a majestic bird known for its striking beauty, but it is also an integral part of Uganda's ecosystem.

Despite its importance, the crane is facing numerous threats to its survival. Habitat destruction and degradation, largely due to agricultural expansion and urbanisation, have reduced the crane’s habitat and fragmented its populations. 

Climate change is also exacerbating the crane's decline. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are altering the crane’s habitat and disrupting its breeding and migration patterns. As the climate continues to change, the crane’s survival will become increasingly precarious.

Yet even when the bird is protected by law - it stipulates a life sentence and/or a fine of Shs20b ($5m; £4m) for those found to have killed one - it still faces challenges.

The fear and respect that the bird had in the past is fast disappearing, with farmers and poachers disregarding the law that protects the bird.

Losing the crane, therefore, is not something we should get to. The crane, for example, is an important part of Ugandan folklore and is featured on the country’s coat of arms. The tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to Uganda’s economy, would also suffer as visitors are drawn to the country’s unique wildlife.

We, therefore, call on the government, conservation organisations, and local communities to work together to protect its habitat, reduce human-crane conflict, and address the impacts of climate change. This can be achieved through a range of measures, including the establishment of protected areas, sensitisation of communities on the importance of the bird, the restoration of degraded habitats, and the promotion of sustainable land-use practices.

As a nation, we have a moral obligation to protect this iconic species and preserve our natural heritage.