Bugeranus carunculatus | SANBI Sensitive Species

Exploitation extent

Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.

Justification and references

Illegal removal of eggs and/or chicks from the wild population has been recorded (CITES 2004).

References:

CITES (ed.) 2004. CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES trade database. UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Programme. Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Population vulnerability

Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km² OR species at risk of localised extinctions

Justification and references

Current South African population is estimated at ~235 individuals (McCann et al. 2000) with a slight increase to ~245 since 1999 according to counts by the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Confidence in this population estimate is high.

References:

McCann, K., Burke, A., Rodwell, L., Steinacker, M. and Seal, U.S., 2000, July. Population and Habitat Viability Assessment for the wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) in South Africa. In Final report from the workshop held (Vol. 31).

Targeted demographics

Unknown.

Regeneration potential

This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.

Justification and references

As with most large-bodied birds, reproduction is slow and only occurs in areas with high annual rainfall (675-1650 mm) and at elevations of 960-2066 masl (Morrison and Bothma 1998). Large reductions in limited suitable wetland habitat has also placed pressure on the small breeding population (McCann et al. 2000).

References:

McCann, K., Burke, A., Rodwell, L., Steinacker, M. and Seal, U.S., 2000, July. Population and Habitat Viability Assessment for the wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) in South Africa. In Final report from the workshop held (Vol. 31).

Morrison, K.L. and Bothma, D.P. 1998. Wetland nesting sites of wattled and grey crowned cranes on the Steenkampsberg Plateau, South Africa. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 28: 110-120.