2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Balearica regulorum
and trading protected species (Government of Uganda, 1996); however, a list of protected
species was not located. According to Baker (1996), B. regulorum is under total protection.
Olupot et al. (2009) found that, in 2005-2006, the knowledge of the value of the national bird
species was good, but there was a general lack of awareness amongst local communities
about the population status and trends, resulting in lack of motivation towards conservation
efforts.
The conservation of breeding habitats, along with the strengthening of laws controlling the
killing, capture and destruction of nests were seen as a priority for the conservation of
B. regulorum in Uganda (Olupot et al., 2009). The aims of the Ugandan crane and wetland
project (African Crane Trade Project, 2007) included developing wetland conservation plans,
increasing public awareness, developing alternative livelihoods and improving the national
policies and conservation programmes. It was reported that several wetland management
plans had been initiated by Nature Uganda to protect wetland areas from conversion to
agricultural uses (Muheebwa, 2008).
Mafabi (1991) noted that “there are some cranes in Uganda’s national parks and game
reserves, but they number no more than 20 pairs (Pomeroy pers. comm.)”. D. Pomeroy (pers.
comm. in Olupot et al., 2009) reported that the main populations occurred outside protected
areas, and there were no viable populations left within the protected areas.
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Distribution in range State: The species occurs mainly in western and northern parts of the
country (Baker, 2007) and is absent from some parts of south-eastern Tanzania (BirdLife
International, 2011; Meine and Archibald, 1996b). The CITES Management Authority of
Tanzania (in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) reported the species to be widespread in National
Parks and Game Reserves but uncommon in human settlements.
Population trends and status: The population of B. regulorum in Tanzania was reported to
be decreasing (Morrison et al., 2007b), with a potential decline of 75 per cent over 25 years
(International Crane Foundation, 2011), despite the reported availability of suitable habitat
(K. Morrison, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
In the 1980s, the total population in Tanzania was estimated to be a maximum
20 000 individuals (Baker, 2007). The population, in 1985 and 1994, was estimated to be
several thousand individuals (Urban, 1996), and in 2004, “low 1000s” (Beilfuss et al., 2007).
Baker (2007) estimated the population size to be under 5000 individuals noting that the
actual figure could be considerably lower than this. The CITES MA of Tanzania (in litt. to
UNEP-WCMC, 2011) indicated that a national population estimate is not available.
Threats: The main threats in Tanzania were considered to include habitat loss due to
agriculture and grazing, and the bird trade (Katondo, 1996; CITES MA of Tanzania in litt. to
UNEP-WCMC, 2011); the species was also reported to be occasionally poisoned by farmers
in response to crop damage (Katondo, 1996).
A rapid trade assessment conducted in north-western Tanzania in 2007 found evidence of
capture and trade, however the findings also showed that the number of captured birds had
decreased during the previous four years, and the price of cranes had increased
(Morrison, 2007). Mortality rates during transport and capture were considered relatively
low (Morrison, 2007). One study, conducted in partnership with Traffic East Southern
Africa, found that B. regulorum was captured for trade purposes in the Malagarasi Muyovosi
Ramsar site in north-west Tanzania (K. Morrison, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
Morrison (in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) found a good awareness amongst local
communities of the illegal nature of crane trade.
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