To ensure the survival of this species, the following needs urgent attention:
Maintenance of undisturbed, pristine to semi-pristine high altitude wetland and grassland area located on privately own farmland. South Africa’s low Wattled Crane population of approx. 311 individuals occurring within a vastly restricted range, a population decline of more than 35% over the past two decades and the lowest reproductive potential of the 15 species of cranes, qualifies this species as Critically Endangered in South Africa.
Within its highly constricted range, the KwaZulu-Natal midlands and the Mpumalanga highlands, wetland loss on privately-owned lands needs to be addressed to secure this species.
