Using Local Ecological Knowledge to Inform Grey Crowned Crane Distribution and Status in Tanzania

Local ecological knowledge reveals that Grey Crowned Cranes (Balearica regulorum) are more likely to be sighted in less populated areas with abundant grasslands, particularly outside protected zones like Kilimanjaro National Park. While seasonal wetlands are crucial habitats, degraded wetlands may negatively impact crane observations. The study, conducted through 560 surveys across 41 villages in Tanzania from 2015–2016, found regional variations in crane sightings, with higher reports during the wet season in some areas but year-round presence in others. Breeding activity was rare, except in Kilimanjaro where chick sightings were notably high. The research highlights the cost-effective potential of local knowledge for conservation while emphasizing the need for additional field monitoring to validate findings.

Amulike, B. B., Griffin, C. R., & Fuller, T. K. (2023). Using Local Ecological Knowledge to Inform Grey Crowned Crane Distribution and Status in Tanzania. African Journal of Wildlife Research, 53(1). https://doi.org/10.3957/056.053.0029