Globally, there are 15 species of cranes spread across all continents baring South America and Antarctica. With eight species, East Asia has the highest crane diversity. A few species of crane, such as the Siberian and Demosille crane, are known to migrate thousands of kilometers to avoid the harsh winter months of Siberia.
Across their range, cranes are revered culturally. For example, Sarus cranes, the world’s tallest flying bird, is often associated with the Hindu God Lord Brahama across south and southeast Asia. Similarly, in Ladakh, the Black-necked Crane is a symbol of good luck amongst the local Buddhist population.
Unfortunately, cranes are under severe threat. Across the world, cranes are rapidly losing their grassland and wetland habitats to agriculture and industrialization. Other than the conversion of natural habitat to agriculture, altered wetland hydrology due to irrigation and increased exposure to agricultural chemicals are also pressing threats. A few species of crane, especially the critically endangered Siberian Crane, have been driven to the brink of extinction by legal hunting in central and west Asian countries, such as Pakistan.
In this episode, I interview Dr. Rich Beilfuss, who is the President of the International Crane Foundation. Founded in 1971 at Cornell University by two undergraduate ornithologists, the International Crane Foundation is working extensively on the conservation of all 15 crane species. Their work extends across Asia, Africa, and North America. In this conversation, Rich elaborates on the various conservation initiatives ICF leads.
Episode 63: Protecting the World’s Cranes with Dr. Rich Beilfuss, President, International Crane Foundation