Siberian Cranes
The eastern Siberian Crane population depends upon wetlands along the entire east Asia flyway – from the tundra in northeastern Russia through the rapidly developing regions of eastern China. Conservationists have learned that we must protect wetland habitats along the entire flyway for the Siberian Crane to survive. But, how do we protect wetlands that are thousands of miles apart and support not only cranes, but growing human populations that also require water, fish and other resources that wetlands supply? As in North America, we will learn that people are the key to crane conservation in Eurasia, and that researchers, nature reserve managers, fishermen, teachers, and students – like you - are working together to ensure a future for Siberian Cranes.
Although there are over 3,000 Siberian Cranes, conservationists classify this species as Critically Endangered. The species has nearly disappeared from its range in central and western Asia (only one confirmed Siberian Crane remains in the western population, and the final pair in the central population was last sighted in 2002), while the fate of the eastern population along the east Asia flyway is uncertain. As with the Whooping Crane in North America, wetland loss and uncontrolled hunting have contributed to the decline of the Siberian Crane in Eurasia. Siberian Cranes are also highly specialized for living in wetland habitats and rely on wetlands for food, safe places to rest, build their nests, and raise chicks. If the wetlands disappear, Siberian Cranes – perhaps more than any other species of crane – will also disappear.
- Siberian Crane Fact Sheet
Fun fact: Siberian Cranes have the longest bill of any crane species and slightly webbed feet. Why do you think they have these adaptations? Learn more...
- Siberian Crane Conservation
Little was known about the biology and habitat needs of the Siberian Crane until recent decades. Russian scientists first documented the behavior and ecology of Siberian Cranes on their breeding grounds in eastern Siberia in the 1960s and ‘70s, and it wasn’t until 1980 that the population’s wintering grounds in the Poyang Lake Basin in southeastern China (where over 98% of this population winters!) were discovered by Chinese scientists. Read more...