The Hlatikulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary in the Central Drakensberg is a rescue, rehabilitation and breeding centre for Southern African crane species. The Sanctuary hosts all three species in captive and wild situations.
The three species are the Blue Crane, the Wattled Crane and the Crowned Crane. The Blue Crane is South Africa’s national bird. It’s a grassland bird and the current population countrywide is about 25 000. The Crowned Crane is pretty adaptable when it comes to habitat so the odds are this species has got the best long-term survival prospects. Current numbers are 4 000 – 5 000 birds.
The Wattled Crane is a wetland bird and as a result of habitat destruction is now critically endangered – there are only 235 left.
So that’s where wetlands come into it. The Hlatikulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary is recreating a large wetland that used to exist before irresponsible timber companies planted the area with alien trees. The “Working for Water” and “Working for Wetlands” initiatives have compelled them to remove these trees – which they’re in the process of doing now. And with a little bit of help here and there, the wetland is reconstituting itself.
A little more on Cranes? They’re big and beautiful but aggressive. Long-lived too. 80 to 90 years is not uncommon. And they mate for life.
Breeding them is tricky though. They only lay 2 eggs and the first one out is the one the parents rear. So if you’re going to rescue the second egg, you’ve got to be wide awake because you’ve only got two hours to get it into an incubator. And when it hatches you’ve got the whole palaver of getting dressed up in your crane suit to feed it. So there’s no human imprint and they can subsequently be released into the wild. Fortunately, not every “Tom, Dick and Harry” is allowed to do this. It’s strictly regulated.
One of the heart-warming things about this operation is they get no funding from any conservation body at all. They do it on a shoestring. Because they’re passionate about conserving these magnificent birds. Tours are free, although donations are appreciated. This is a conservation effort that deserves your support. They’re based in the Central Drakensberg just south of Giant’s Castle.
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