1. Blue crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) Wattled crane (Grus carunculatus) Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) Crane species in Namibia

2. Grey crowned crane Distribution and abundance - overall Occurs from southern Uganda and Kenya southwards to the eastern Cape Balearica regulorum regulorum found only in southern Africa and southern Angola, population estimated at 2800 – 12000 birds Largely associated with wetlands but also forages in nearby dryland habitats Utilises the grass fringes of wetlands, feeding on frogs, reptiles, insects and also seed heads and grass tops Three discrete and fragmented populations, largest of about 2800 birds found in E and NE South Africa Overall decline of 20% in last three generations Begins egglaying in spring with a peak in December – January (South Africa); December – February (Zimbabwe) Threats include poisoning, wetland degradation and disturbance

3. Regional distribution – Grey crowned crane

4. Grey crowned crane In Namibia: Utilises the grass fringes of wetlands, feeding on frogs, reptiles, insects and also seed heads and grass tops In Namibia only in grasslands N of Etosha, Zambezi and Okavango Rivers, rarely seen in Etosha: - this population estimated at < 50 birds in late 80s - recorded mainly at Lake Oponono (6 records between 1994 and 1999) No breeding records in Namibia

5. No of birds recorded in Wetland counts: Grey crowned crane Fischer’s Pan Apr 942 Feb 961 Oshituntu Jan 968 Apr 983 Jan 995 Jan 005 Lake Oponono Aug 91*3 Apr 93*5 Jan 945 Apr 9415 Jul 9711 Apr 982 Mar 9916 * Includes Oshituntu

6. Distribution of Grey crowned crane in relation to protected areas and conservancies

7. Museum specimens For Blue crane and Wattled crane, museum specimens are within the current ranges of these species. For Grey crowned crane, the 1970 specimen is further north than this species is now found, indicating a range reduction.

8. Distribution of Grey crowned crane in relation to human population

9. Distribution of Grey crowned crane in relation to livestock

10. Grey crowned crane Red Data status – Near Threatened in Namibia, – population stable/decreasing Threats Generally, degradation of feeding and breeding habitat, poisoning, collisions with powerlines. In Namibia, human use of Lake Oponono by opportunistic hunters and trappers with cattle Actions Research on populations elsewhere in Namibia Assessment of breeding after good rains Direct protection Education of herdsmen on importance of Lake Oponono, and on the collection of snares and baits

11. This presentation was compiled using information and data from:  The Atlas of Southern African Birds (Ed. Harrison et al, 1997)  Avifaunal Database of Namibia, held at the Directorate of Environmental Affairs, MET  Atlas of Namibia – A Portrait of the Land and its People (Mendelsohn et al, 2002)  An environmental profile and atlas of Caprivi (Mendelsohn et al, 1997)  Draft text from the Red Data Book on birds of Namibia (Simmons, in prep)