Anthropogenic Impacts on The Conservation of Grey Crowned Crane Balearica Regulorum at Lake Ol' Bolossat, Kenya
Abstract
Human population growth and related land-use changes are a significant threat to biodiversity, particularly due to habitat fragmentation, degradation, and loss. Birds are vulnerable species because their habitats are being converted to support human activities. The Grey Crowned Crane, an endangered bird listed in the IUCN list of Endangered Species, is a flagship and umbrella species endemic to Africa, facing a sharp decline in its global population. The current estimated population ranges between 26,500 and 33,500 birds globally, 8500-10000 in Kenya and 1,100 birds recorded at Lake Ol’ Bolossat in Kenya. Despite their coexistence with humans in shared landscapes, little is known about the impact of their interactions with human activities. To understand the impact of this interaction, a questionnaire with closed-ended questions was used to collect data on community perceptions on Crowned Crane conservation from 95 respondents across 11 Villages around the Lake. Sampled households were located 0-3Km from the Lake boundaries. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests of independence, and Fisher’s Exact Test when expected cell counts were few. Statistical significance was evaluated at α = 0.05. All demographic factors did not have a significant effect on Crowned Crane conservation except for hunting, which varied significantly across the 11 villages (χ²(10) = 37.13, p < 0.001). Whilst the respondents were conversant with the crowned crane, it did not result in successful conservation efforts, as localized pressure was evidenced by hunting. Promoting programs and strategies that foster community awareness on the importance of conservation, while supporting community-based crane conservation initiatives, is recommended. These may include outreach activities in local schools, community meetings (chiefs’ and sub-chiefs’ barazas), as well as community-tailored conferences and workshops on conservation.
References
Beilfuss, R. (2018). Zambezi River Basin conservation strategy: Safeguarding wetlands for cranes and people. International Crane Foundation.
Bhattarai, B. P., Katuwal, H. B., Regmi, S., Nepali, A., Suwal, R. N., Acharya, R., ... & Sharma, H. P. (2025). Knowledge, attitudes, and conservation threats to globally vulnerable Sarus Cranes in Lumbini Province, Nepal. Discover Conservation, 2(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44353-025-00034-2
BirdLife International (2024). Species factsheet: Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-crowned-crane-balearica-regulorum
Chen, H. L., Beca, G., Galetti, M., Tsai, C., Xu, W. H., Zhang, J. J., & Zollner, P. (2019). Habitat Loss and Fragmentation. International Wildlife Management: Conservation Challenges in a Changing World, 50.
East African Wildlife Society. (2022). Lake Ol’ Bolossat synthesis report. https://eawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/LAKE-OL-BOLOSSAT-SYNTHESIS-REPORT.pdf
Gemeda, D. O., Minstro, A. A., Feyessa, D. H., Sima, A. D., & Gutema, T. M. (2016). Community knowledge, attitude and practice towards black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina L.) conservation in Chora Boter district of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Journal of ecology and the natural environment, 8(4), 40-48.
Gichuki, N. N. (1994). Factors affecting the reproductive success of the Grey Crowned Crane (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cambridge).
Gosai, K. R., Shrestha, T. K., Hill, S. D., Shrestha, S. M., Gyawali, B., Gautam, D. N., & Aryal, A. (2016). Population structure, behavior, and current threats to the sarus crane (Grus antigone antigone) in Nepal. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, 9(3), 301-305.
Katuwal, H. B., Sharma, H. P., Rokka, P., Das, N. K., & Quan, R. C. (2024). Knowledge, attitudes, and conservation challenges for the lesser adjutant in Nepal. Global Ecology and Conservation, 49, e02795.
Morrison, K. (compiler) 2015. International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum). AEWA Technical Series No. 59. Bonn, Germany.
Morrison, K. L., Dodman, T., Scott, A., Shanungu, G., Smallie, J., & Versveld, W. (2019). Species review: Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum). Crane conservation strategy, 261-271.
Nowald, G., Fanke, J., & Hansbaurer, M. M. (2018). Linking crane life history and feeding ecology with natural habitats and agricultural lands. Cranes and Agriculture: A Global Guide for Sharing the Landscape. Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA: International Crane Foundation. p, 18-35.
Olupot, W., Mugabe, H., and Plumptre, A. J. (2010). Species conservation on human‐dominated landscapes: the case of crowned crane breeding and distribution outside protected areas in Uganda. African journal of ecology, 48(1), 119-125.
Owiti, M. A., Kibue, G. W., & Ogoma, M. O. (2024). Knowledge about environmental dynamics and attitude towards conservation of Saiwa Wetland, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, 5(1).
Pimm, SL, CN Jenkins, R Abell, TM Brooks, JL Gittleman, LN Joppa, PH Raven, CM Roberts, et al. (2014). The biodiversity of species and their rates of extinction, distribution, and protection. Science (New York, N.Y.), 344(6187). p. 1246752. 10.1126/science.1246752 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/23551.
Prakash S. and Verma A. K. (2022) Anthropogenic activities and Biodiversity threats International Journal of Biological Innovations. 4(1): 94-103. https://doi.org/10.46505/IJBI.2022.4110.
Wamiti W., Mwangi J., Fox D., Bakari N., Schröder W., Nowald G., Walter B., Ndung’u G., Bii E., Wanjala M., Nekesa V., Waiguchu G. & Kimani D. (2020). Kenya’s first countrywide census of Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum, February–March 2019. Bull. ABC, 27(2), 210-218.
Wamiti, W., Malaki, P., & Mwangi, A. (2008, September). Birds of Conservation Concern Upgrades Lake Ol’Bolossat Status to Kenya’s 61st Important Bird Area. In 12th Pan-African Ornithological Congress, Goudin Spa Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa (pp. 7-12).
Wanjala, W. S. N., Olutende, O. M., Joab, O., Omuterema, O. S., Steve, O., & Rose, W. (2024). The Role of Community Awareness in River/Wetland Conservation: A Case of Upper Yala River Watershed. Open Access Library Journal, 11(2), 1-18.