2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Balearica regulorum
The CITES SA of Zambia (E. Phiri in litt. to UNEP-WCMC 2011) confirmed that there had
been no international trade from Zambia or domestic trade within the country in over
10 years. He also noted that “There have been no cases of illegal trade in Grey Crowned
Crane recorded by the Zambia Wildlife Authority. Incidents of illegal domestic trade are not
well documented in Zambia but these include collection of eggs/chicks by local residents for
food.”
Management: The National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals) Order of 1993 lists
B. regulorum as a protected species, along with all other crane species (Laws of Zambia,
2006). The CITES SA of Zambia (E. Phiri in litt. to UNEP-WCMC 2011) stated that hunting,
killing or capturing the species without an appropriate licence was illegal. They also
reported that the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) was involved in 1) controlling
poaching through its anti-poaching/law enforcement unit, 2) controlling illegal exports,
particularly at international airports, and 3) encouraging the private sector to undertake
efforts in captive breeding of the species. However, ZAWA had not yet developed
management and harvesting guidelines to facilitate sustainable utilisation of the species in
the near future (E. Phiri in litt. to UNEP-WCMC 2011).
One author commented that the centralization of the wildlife regulations from local
authorities to the central government in 1969 had led to increased exploitation of bird
species in the country (Katanekwa, 1996).
Breeding populations were reportedly found in all Zambian Ramsar sites (including all
major wetlands in Zambia), including the Kafue and South Luangwa National Parks (E.
Phiri in litt. to UNEP-WCMC 2011). It was also reported to occur in Lochinvar and Blue
Lagoon National Parks within Kafue Flats (Dodman, 1996b).
D. Problems identified that are not related to the implementation of Article IV,
paragraphs 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a)
Illegal trade was reported to be a problem in Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and
Tanzania.
E. References
African Crane Trade Project. 2007. Final report: Ugandan case study. Completed in partnership between
International Crane Foundation, Endangered Wildlife Trust and Nature Uganda.
Allan, D. G. 1996. A review of the biology and conservation of cranes, Proceedings of the African Crane
and Wetland Training Workshop, R. D. Beilfuss et al., eds., Wildlife Training Institute, Maun,
Botswana, pp. 13-51.
Baker, N. 2007. The status of Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum and Wattled Crane Bugeranus
carunculatus in Tanzania, K. Morrison et al., eds., Conservation Breeding Specialist Group
(SSC/IUCN), CBSG Southern Africa, International Crane Foundation, Endangered Wildlife
Trust, Johannesburg, South Africa, pp. 27-29.
Baker, N. E. 1996. The bird trade in Tanzania: The quota system, in Leader-Williams, N. &
Tibanyenda, R. K., (eds.), The live bird trade in Tanzania. IUCN Species Survival Commission, 49-
62.
Barnes, K. 2001. Lesotho, in Evans, M. I. & Fishpool, L. D. L., (eds.), Important bird areas in Africa and
associated islands: Priority sites for conservation. Pisces Publications, Cambridge. 465-472.
Beckner, M. 2008. Friedkin Conservation Fund Tanzania. African Cranes, Wetlands & Communities:
Newsletter 2: 23-25.
Beilfuss, R. 2008. Grey crowned cranes in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. African Cranes,
Wetlands & Communities: Newsletter 2: 12.
Beilfuss, R. D. 2011. Richard Beilfuss (International Crane Foundation) pers. comm. to UNEP-WCMC,
26-11-2011.
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