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On September 1st, 2006, the first captive bred Wattled crane produced in South Africa in nearly ten years was hatched at the Johannesburg Zoo. The zoo credits improved diet and husbandry practices for this successful breeding. Since 1986 more than 60 Wattled crane chicks have been successfully fledged from abandoned eggs. |
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PROJECT PERFORMANCE:
Partnerships have been developed with the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s South African Crane Working Group, the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB), the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. Affiliations include; the International Crane Foundation, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the IUCN, and the International Species Information System, and the Mpumalanga Parks Board.
Enclosures for the breeding flock have been erected at 10 captive management facilities. The breeding flock is managed for maximum genetic diversity. The African Regional Stud book for the Wattled Crane is produced by the WCRP on an annual basis. In July 2006, The Johannesburg Zoo erected a new chick-rearing facility complete with preparation area, individual climate controlled pens and an enclosed socialization area.
On September 1st, 2006, the first captive bred Wattled crane produced in South Africa in nearly ten years was hatched at the Johannesburg Zoo. The zoo credits improved diet and husbandry practices for this successful breeding. Since 1986 more than 60 Wattled crane chicks have been successfully fledged from abandoned eggs. The current captive population consists of 28 birds of South African origin. Much remains unknown about the captive reproduction of Wattled cranes as world-wide efforts to breed this species in captivity have only proved marginally successful. Poor fertility remains a major obstacle to captive reproduction. Attempts are being made to modify standard artificial insemination techniques for the Wattled Crane.
Contact:
Jeanne Marie Pittman
C/o Johannesburg Zoo. Private Bag x13 Parkview, Johannesburg, South Africa 2122
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