2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Balearica pavonina
Population trends and status: The population was estimated at a few hundred individuals
by Urban (1988; 1996). Based on surveys conducted in 2000 and 2001, Williams et al. (2003)
gave an estimate of more than 10 individuals with an unknown trend for the Lake Turkana
population. Beilfuss et al. (2007) estimated the population size in 2004 to be 250 individuals.
Threats: Studies in western Kenya found that hunting the species for food caused about
15 per cent of the total mortality in the population of B. regulorum (Gichuki, 1996).
Trade: Capture of the species for export was reported from the country (Mafabi, 1992, cited
in Olupot et al., 2009). However, according to data in the CITES Trade Database, no trade in
B. pavonina from Kenya was reported 2000-2010. Annual reports have not been received for
2003.
Management: The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (amended in 1989)
declared B. pavonina a protected animal in Kenya, along with all other birds that were not
classified as game animals. The Wildlife Act also specified that permits/licenses were
needed for the ownership of live animals and trophies and the export of live protected
animals.
MALI
Distribution in range State: The species was listed as breeding in the country (BirdLife
International, 2011b), and was recorded from the central and southern areas, including the
Inner Niger Delta (central Mali), Mid Niger River Basin (southeastern Mali) and the Lower
Bafing Valley (southwestern Mali) (Williams et al., 2003).
Population trends and status: Urban (1988) estimated a total population of 7000 –
8000 individuals in 1985. By 1994, the population was reported to have decreased to 3000 –
3500 individuals (Urban, 1996). Based on surveys conducted in 2000 and 2001, the
population size was estimated to be just over 600 individuals and appeared to be “crashing
rapidly” (Williams et al., 2003). For the sites surveyed, population trend was reported to be
declining, with the exception of Sibo Niala (increasing) and Senou (unknown) in southwestern
Mali (Williams et al., 2003). Beilfuss et al. (2007) estimated a population size of
100 individuals for 2004.
Threats: In a study based on interviews and field surveys in the Inner Niger Delta region in
2001, Kone et al. (2007) reported illegal trade and considered that continued capturing of
B. pavonina could lead to its extinction in Mali. The number of cranes in captivity was
considered to exceed the number in the wild (Kone et al., 2007).
Indirect threats were reported to include droughts, increasing human population, and
agricultural expansion, particularly of subsistence millet in wetland areas (Tréca, 1996b).
Trade: According to data in the CITES Trade Database, trade from Mali over the period
2000-2010 comprised the export of 15 live, captive-bred birds for commercial purposes in
2001; this trade was reported by both Mali and by the importer. Re-exports of B. pavonina
originating in Mali over this period consisted of 10 live, captive-bred birds as reported by reexporters.
All annual reports have been received from Mali for the period 2000-2010.
Kone et al. (2007) reported that trade in cranes was extremely common in Mali and that
between 1998 and 2000, 524 individuals were captured in the Mopti, Tenenkou and
Youwarou areas [Central Mali], within a region where only about 1500 wild individuals
were thought to live (Kone et al., 2007). Most individuals were reportedly obtained as chicks
and reached the highest value per bird of any waterbird on the market (Kone et al., 2007).
Management: B. pavonina was listed as a fully protected species in Law No. 95-031 on the
management of wildlife and habitats. However, interviews conducted by Kone et al. (2007)
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