Black Crowned Cranes were given the maximum protection that CITES can offer this week in a decision to move them to Appendix I. This proposal was accepted by consensus and strongly supported by West African countries.
Why this is needed: The black-crowned crane is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is experiencing a rapid population decline primarily due to habitat loss and trapping for domestication or illegal international trade. Declines have been reported in populations in Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mali, Sudan, South Sudan, and Togo. Trade is a major threat to the species and takes place both legally and illegally at the international, regional, and domestic levels.
Given the decreasing population trend, any additional trade in wild-sourced black-crowned cranes is unsustainable for the species. Born Free USA strongly supports the species’ transfer to Appendix I, which would prohibit the trade in this species except under exceptional circumstances.