Conservation of the West African Black-Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina pavonina (Linn 1758) in the Sudano-Sahelian Wetlands of Northern Nigeria

Abstract

With so much crises and mystification surrounding the management of Nigeria’s wildlife as a result of anthropogenic impacts occasioned by poaching, bush burning, grazing and unsustainable farming practices coupled with desert encroachment and lack of unified wildlife law, it would not be a shocking revelation that the most revered bird in Nigeria, the West African black-crowned crane is on the verge of local extinction. This paper is a review on the black-crowned crane with emphasis on present conservation status and habitat requirements of the species as well as facilities that can be used for the domestication of the bird. Understanding the species fundamental niche and the threats to its survival are essential aspects for the future conservation of the species. This review will awaken the consciousness of conservationists and other environmentalists on the conservation of the black-crowned crane, the national bird of Nigeria. The conservation of the species will further promote and increase ecotourism potentials of wetlands in the Sudano-Sahelian landscape of Northern Nigeria.