With its distinctive golden crown and graceful stature, the crested crane holds a special place in Ugandan culture, appearing on the national flag and emblem, while serving as a symbol for sports teams. However, the bird is now facing an alarming decline in its population, sparking concerns among conservationists who warn it may vanish if urgent protective measures are not implemented.
Legally protected by Ugandan law, killing a crested crane can lead to hefty penalties, including life imprisonment or fines reaching 20 billion Ugandan shillings (approximately $5 million). Traditionally, the bird has been revered within local Buganda culture, seen as a sign of fertility and prosperity. Folklore warned that harming a crane could invite the birds’ relatives to curse the perpetrator until insanity overcame them.
Yet that deep-rooted respect seems to erode among today's farmers, particularly in regions like western Uganda where these cranes are known to frequent. "I don't see their value—they destroy our crops, affecting our food security," said Tom Mucunguzi, a local maize farmer. Fausita Aritua echoed his sentiments, recounting her daily struggles to protect her fields from crane invasions.
Once prevalent in Uganda, the population of crested cranes has dwindled to a mere 10,000 today—an 80% decline over 25 years—according to Adalbert Ainomucunguzi of the International Crane Foundation (ICF). The encroachment of agriculture into wetlands has heavily impacted the cranes' breeding and feeding habitats.
Furthermore, many cranes tragically meet their end due to poisoning from farmers defending their crops, often leading to deaths after ingesting agro-chemicals. While some farmers voice a need for government compensation for crop damages caused by cranes, officials assert that the government cannot be responsible for wildlife behavior.
Conservation experts advocate for the use of non-lethal deterrent methods, such as scarecrows, to protect crops without harming the cranes. Additional threats to the birds include habitat destruction, flooding, and even accidental collisions with power lines, as well as illegal hunting due to traditional beliefs linking crane parts to prosperity and fidelity.
Efforts are underway to rehabilitate crane populations. In partnership with local communities, conservationists focus on wetland restoration, with President Yoweri Museveni designating 2025 as a year of wetland conservation. John Makombo of the Uganda Wildlife Authority pledges to enforce the law against crane poisoning.
While efforts to stabilize crane numbers are making progress, they still remain precariously low, calling for increased awareness and action to protect this iconic species. The future of Uganda's crested crane hangs in the balance, requiring a collective response to avert its extinction.
