News & Current Affairs

South Africans invited to help map the country's crane populations

The National Crane Census, which is being revived after a two-decade hiatus, aims to improve understanding of the country's Blue Crane, Wattled Crane and Grey Crowned Crane populations.

by Anchen Coetzee

Updated July 15, 2026

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in partnership with the International Crane Foundation (ICF), is calling on South Africans to help count one of the country's most iconic bird groups during a nationwide citizen science initiative later this month.

The National Crane Census, which is being revived after a two-decade hiatus, aims to improve understanding of the country's Blue Crane, Wattled Crane and Grey Crowned Crane populations. Information submitted by members of the public will help conservationists monitor population trends, identify areas of concern and support future conservation efforts for these threatened species.

The press release follows below, verbatim, as issued by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Endangered Wildlife Trust/International Crane Foundation to host National Crane Census in South Africa in July 2026

7 July

The Endangered Wildlife Trust in partnership with the International Crane Foundation invites all South Africans to participate in a national Crane Census over four days in July 2026 under the banner of “Every Count Matters”.

The National Crane Census used to take place on the last weekend of July from 1998 until 2006. Using modern technology, the EWT is reviving the census. This citizen science project will provide vital information to estimate population size and to update distribution across the different species ranges.

The information collected will provide valuable data to guide future conservation actions and management decisions for the benefit of cranes. It is crucial that we verify whether observed increases and declines in crane populations are accurate. Through collaboration, we can better understand these trends and contribute to meaningful conservation action.

South Africa is home to three crane species – the Blue Crane, Wattled Crane and Grey Crowned Crane – with the Drakensberg range being a global hotspot for all three species. Since the last National Crane Census 20 years ago, the EWT/ICF partnership has been conducting localised aerial surveys that indicate that the populations of the three species are increasing in KwaZulu-Natal, but that all three species are declining in other areas. The Blue Crane, South Africa’s National Bird, was uplisted from Near Threatened to Vulnerable in the 2025 Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini reflecting growing concern about the species’ future. Concerted and targeted conservation efforts in the Drakensberg have seen the Wattled Crane downlisted from Critically Endangered to Endangered, while the Grey Crowned Crane is listed as Vulnerable in the SA Red Data Book.

Wattled Cranes are good indicators of the health of the environment, particularly wetlands and grasslands. Cranes are among the world's most culturally significant birds, including in South Africa. They are widely associated with longevity, wisdom, fidelity, peace, vigilance, and hope, making them powerful ambassadors for both natural and cultural heritage.

Considered a flagship species for conservation, the habitat for these majestic birds is being destroyed by mining, development and overuse. This includes collisions with power lines and other infrastructure.

In identifying the three crane species found in South Africa, it should be noted that each have very distinct features. The Blue Crane is just over a metre tall, has a pale blue-grey body, a white crown, and long, trailing black wing feathers. The Grey Crowned Crane is easily recognisable by its striking crown of golden feathers on its head and the bright red gular sac under its chin, boasting grey, brown and black plumage with white wings. The Wattled Crane is the tallest of these majestic birds and is easily recognisable by its long white neck, ash grey body and two wattles dangling under its chin.

Crane conservation in South Africa relies on the information submitted by landowners and the public in order to monitor numbers and localities of all three species. You are our citizen scientists. Because information about the distribution of South Africa’s crane species is limited, we are calling on all South Africans to assist us in this important citizen science initiative on the weekend of 24 to 27 July 2026.

This time the information can be shared using WhatsApp. The information needed is the number of cranes spotted, the species of cranes, and their location.

The information gathered during the survey will be kept confidential, including the contact details of participants. The results of the survey will be communicated once the information has been analysed.