The Hindu Business Line : Save the Sibes

Global efforts have been on to save the Siberian cranes since the 1970s. These have intensified over the last couple of years and every winter, scientists now travel along the crane’s flyway — especially to Afghanistan and Pakistan — and try and educate the people about the need to provide a safe flying route to the Siberian cranes. The International Crane Foundation (ICF) also has wetland conservation programmes along the crane’s migratory path and wherever it is known to have stopovers. Besides this, A UNEP collaborative programme involves all the governments that are part of the historic range of the species in conservation efforts to safeguard the cranes.

Meanwhile, captive breeding programmes are on in Belgium, China, Russia and the US. Today there are several hundred Siberian cranes in captivity at special facilities in these countries.

It’s early days yet – but a multinational team of scientists is also studying if it can replicate the success achieved in restoring the whooping crane population (from 15 to over 200) on the Siberian crane.

But as Gopi Sundar points out, what makes the effort a huge challenge is that the migratory route of the Siberian cranes spans very difficult terrain, politics, and geography. Global Climate Change predictions are only adding to the threat.

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