Siberian, Sarus, Demoiselle, and Common Cranes

Out of the four crane species found in Pakistan, Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus) are rare and seldom seen. The status of Sarus cranes (Grus antigone) is vagrant. They have been locally extinct as breeding birds since 1968. Demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides virgo) are seen quite often on migration, but are ruthlessly hunted in the Bannu District, NWFP. Common cranes (Grus grus) are scarce and there are no permanent wintering populations.

They are not often seen, even on migration. Efforts to protect these cranes and their important staging and breeding habitats in Pakistan will include identification of critical sites for each species, mobilisation of communities in protection, development and dissemination of conservation educational material in crucial hunting areas, and establishment of private crane refuges.