10.12 Making Connections

Balearica regulorum: A SPECIES WORTH SAVING?

Background: Cranes are a group of long-legged, long-necked, wading birds that tend to prefer wetland habitats for both breeding and feeding. There are fifteen species worldwide, and they vary greatly in colouration. Many are quite tall (up to 176 cm) and several species are well-known for their beautiful mating dances. Most crane species are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, although other threats exist. In Canada, the Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is listed as an endangered species under SARA (Species at Risk Act), and considerable conservation efforts have been made to save these cranes.

Case: You are a member of a philanthropic organization devoted to saving species from extinction. Your organization has a limited amount of funds, so it is imperative that the funds be given to worthwhile projects. A consortium of several African nations has approached you for funds to help save the endangered Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum). Before your organization can make a decision, you need to gather information:

1. Research Balearica regulorum (the IUCN Red List is a good place to start). Consider the following questions:
   1. Why is this species considered endangered?
   2. What are the causes of its decline?
   3. Where does it live?
   4. Does its habitat still exist? If it were brought back from the brink of extinction, is there habitat for it to live in and food for it to eat?
   5. What plans are currently in place to save it?
2. Do some further research to answer the following questions.
   1. Why did the Whooping Crane decline? Consider both human impacts and the Whooping Crane’s biology.
   2. How much money has been spent to date on Whooping Crane conservation?
   3. What is the status of Whooping Cranes that currently live in the wild?
   4. What is the outlook for the future of this species?
   5. Answer questions a.–d. for B. regulorum and compare your results to those for the Whooping Crane.
3. Based on your research, write a report recommending a course of action to your organization. Should you give money to save B. regulorum? Why or why not? Be sure to address whether it is ecologically and/or economically realistic or desirable to save B. regulorum.