2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Balearica pavonina
revealed that few crane owners were aware of the legislation. The authors reported that the
National Directorate for the Preservation of Natural Reserves had made B. pavonina exports
from Mali illegal in 1998, however, exports had continued, albeit limited by the high costs of
transportation and taxes.
MAURITANIA
Distribution in range State: The species was listed as breeding in the country (BirdLife
International, 2011b), and was recorded from the southeast, south, and southwest (BirdLife
International, 2011a). The CITES Management Authority of Mauritania (M. Daddah, in litt.
to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) reported large concentrations of the species from the lower delta
(southwestern Mauritania) and East. Williams et al. (2003) reported populations from Gâat
Mahamouda (southeastern Mauritania), and the lower Senegal River basin including the
Diawling National Park (southwestern Mauritania).
Population trends and status: Estimates from 1985 and 1995 suggested population numbers
of about 200 individuals (Urban, 1988; 1996). In surveys conducted in 2000 and 2001,
Williams et al. (2003) estimated the total population to be more than 525 individuals, and
reported increasing population trends for two of the four surveyed populations and
unknown trends for the other two populations. Beilfuss et al. (2007) estimated a population
size of 500 individuals in 2004. The CITES MA of Mauritania (M. Daddah, in litt. to UNEP-
WCMC, 2011) reported that the largest subpopulation of 200-300 individuals was found in
the Lake Tichilit, Diawling National Park and south of Keur Macéne.
Threats: The CITES MA of Mauritania (M. Daddah, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) reported
that the species was threatened by habitat loss, but did not consider hunting as a serious
threat. According to Tréca (1996b), Mauritania’s wetlands were at risk from drought and
increasing human use, including irrigation.
Trade: According to data in the CITES Trade Database, no trade from Mauritania were
reported between 2000 and 2010. No annual report has been received for 2010. The CITES
MA of Mauritania (M. Daddah, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) reported there was no
evidence of legal or illegal trade of the species from Mauritania.
Management: B. pavonina was not included in the list of protected species in Law No. 97-006
on hunting and conservation.
NIGER
Distribution in range State: The species was listed as breeding in the country (BirdLife
International, 2011b). Williams et al. (2003) reported populations in the Mid Niger River
Basin (south-western Niger), Ader (e.g. Tahoura and Abalak), Zindern Damergou-
Damagaram (southern Niger), and Diffa in Mandaram-Manga and Lake Chad (southeastern
Niger).
Population trends and status: Estimates from 1985 and 1995 suggested population numbers
of several hundreds and over a thousand individuals (Urban, 1988; 1996). In surveys
conducted in 2000 and 2001, Williams et al. (2003) estimated the total population to be more
than 300 individuals. For the sites surveyed, population trend was reported to be mostly
unknown or disappearing, with the exception of Kokorou, Tillabery (increasing) (Williams et
al., 2003). Beilfuss et al. (2007) estimated a population size of 1300 individuals in 2004. Tréca
(1996b) noted that only very few breeding pairs could be found along the Nigerian border to
the southwest and to the east.
Threats: Tréca (1996b) reported that B. pavonina was captured in the Magaria area south of
Zinder (southern Niger) by people crossing the border between Nigeria and Niger.
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