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.