The country is witnessing an increase in the population of Black-necked crane, reflecting Bhutan’s conservation efforts. According to the Royal Society for Protection of Nature’s recently released 2023 annual report, last year, Bhutan received 676 black-necked cranes. This is a 12 per cent increase from the previous year’s tally of 599. The migratory bird arrives in the country every winter from their summer breeding grounds in Tibet.
As of last month, the RSPN recorded varying numbers of Black-necked Cranes across different winter habitats in Bhutan.
Phobjikha recorded the highest number with 609 cranes, followed by Bumdeling with 62, Khotokha with 3, and Tang with 2.
Officials from the RSPN said the Black-necked Crane population is gradually increasing, globally. This positive trend is attributed to the collaborative conservation efforts of countries and communities hosting the birds.
The officials said that RSPN recently completed works to restore 25 acres of degraded paddy fields at the Bomdeling wetland area, which was damaged by flood.
Additionally, the black-necked crane aviary at Black-necked Crane Education Center in Gangtey-Phobjikha was also recently extended to accommodate more birds.
Though the number of birds is increasing, the officials said habitat loss and impacts of human activity still pose challenges to the bird’s conservation.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Black-necked Crane is recognized as ‘near threatened’. This means that the bird may be vulnerable to becoming endangered in the near future.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Phub Gyem
