Ecology and Conservation of Red-crowned Cranes in Russia

Abstract

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is a large, IUCN-listed endangered species found in East Asia. Within Russia, despite a century of records, the center of breeding habitat was not discovered until the 1970s. Since then, researchers and advocates have helped establish a network of protected areas to counter the threats of wetland reclamation, damming, wildfire, and poaching. Here, after briefly describing G. japonensis ecology, we detail these threats to the species and then describe mitigating actions, including creation of protected areas in Russia, working groups (both Russian and international), and conservation education initiatives throughout East Asia to benefit the conservation of this species and its habitat.