CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
The results of this study provided critical information towards
understanding some of the basic characteristics of wetlands that Grey
Crowned Crane require for nesting. They may thus be utilised as a basis
for modification and management of wetlands with an aim of making them
suitable for cranes. In degraded wetlands, a weir could be constructed
or raised to ensure that the water held back reaches at least 50 cm
in-depth in the shallow end. Low-level grazing or exclusion of large
herbivores (such as buffalos, elephants, cattle, donkey etc.) would
naturally allow vegetation to regenerate and flourish on its own to
reach desired height of over 60 cm. This can be achieved by fencing off
small to medium-sized wetlands, natural spring marshes or parts of
extensive wetlands with a chain-link (or an electric fence in
conservation areas). Besides, this information can be adopted in legal
documents such as Integrated Management Plans, National Wetlands Policy
and International Single Species Action Plans.
Given its outstanding significance as a key breeding site for Grey
Crowned Crane alongside the presence of other globally-threatened bird
species, we commend a full implementation of the gazette notice
declaring the wetland as a Protected Wetland Area and effective
implementation of a management plan that should give room for managing
the wetland for the good of local communities and wildlife. A candid
management of the wetland, such as exclusion of livestock during the
peak of the breeding season, would be expected to reduce human and
livestock disturbances to nesting birds. Law enforcement should cross
the line too to control activities that impact negatively on crane’s
breeding performance such as trapping (poaching) and collection of eggs
and chicks, and to halt further encroachment on the riparian land.
Similar studies in Kenya and across the species range are recommended to
identify and protect key breeding sites for the species. In eastern
Africa, where the population is still described as rapidly declining, it
is paramount that efforts are made to understand the activities
surrounding known and/or potential breeding sites and address these
challenges, if any, at the local level. There are over 120 satellite
wetlands around Lake Ol’ Bolossat reported in this study and their role
in cranes and waterfowl conservation should be investigated.