2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Balearica regulorum
Range State
Uganda
United Republic
of Tanzania
Zambia
Provisional
category
Possible
Concern
Possible
Concern
Least
Concern
Summary
Large population but severe declines reported. No international trade
reported 2000-2010 although unreported and illegal trade reported,
based on anecdotal information. The level and impact of apparent
unreported international trade is not known and given the
unfavourable status of the species in Uganda and the lack of
information on the implementation of Article IV, categorised as
Possible Concern.
Relatively large population but severe declines reported. No direct
trade reported since 2005 according to data in the CITES trade
database, however the Tanzian Management Authority reported the
export of 182 birds 2006-2010. Unreported and illegal trade also
reported, based on anecdotal information. Quotas for 100 birds have
been set in recent years including 2011 with exports permitted for for
zoos and scientific research. The level and impact of trade, including
apparent unreported international trade is not known and given the
unfavourable status of the species in Tanzania, categorised as
Possible Concern.
Relatively large populations but declines reported. However,
protected in Zambia and no international trade reported 2000-2010.
On the basis of no anticipated trade, categorised as Least Concern.
B. Species overview
Biology: Balearica regulorum (the Grey Crowned Crane) is an African waterbird that typically
inhabits open areas near swamps and lakes (Mackworth-Praed and Grant, 1952). It
commonly nests within or on the edges of wetlands, forages in wetlands and nearby
grasslands (Meine and Archibald, (1996b) and roosts either in shallow water (Tréca, 1996) or
in adjacent trees (Allan, 1996; Johnsgard, 1983; Walkinshaw, 1964). Although not a migratory
species, local and seasonal movements in response to changing moisture levels and food
availability were observed (Allan, 1996; Tréca, 1996).
B. regulorum was reported to feed on the tips of grasses, seeds, insects and other
invertebrates, and small vertebrates (Johnsgard, 1983; Pomeroy, 1983). It is well-adapted to
manmade habitats, and commonly found in a variety of agricultural land types (Meine and
Archibald, 1996b; Muheebwa, 2007b; Smith, 2011; Tréca, 1996; van Niekerk, 2008).
The species is monogamous, forming pairs at the age of three years, and breeding once a
year or every other year, for 16 years (Gichuki, 1996). Average clutch size is 2.5 eggs with an
incubation period lasting 27-31 days and a fledging period generally between 56-120 days
(Gichuki, 1996; Meine and Archibald, 1996b; Olupot et al., 2009; Walkinshaw, 1964).
Taxonomic note: B. regulorum closely resembles the Black Crowned Crane (B. pavonina)
(Dickinson, 2003). In the past, the two species were considered to form a single species
(B. pavonina) (Johnsgard, 1983) but they have been considered separate species by both the
current and former CITES Standard references for birds (Dickinson, 2003; Sibley and
Monroe, 1990).
General distribution and status: B. regulorum occurs in eastern and southern Africa from
eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya to south-east South Africa
(Walkinshaw, 1964). It was also recorded from Angola and Namibia along the Okavango
River (Meine and Archibald, 1996b; Urban, 1983). The total extent of occurrence was
estimated at 3 900 000 km 2 (Morrison et al., 2007b).
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