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Black Necked Cranes

Region: China
Author: Sun De-hui, "The Volunteers' Association for Black-Necked Cranes Protection in Zhaotong Prefecture of China"
Consortium Member: ECOLOGIA - US
Status: Funded and Ongoing Budget: $1200 Collected: $1200 Needs: $0
Result: To support the efforts of The Volunteers' Association for Black-Necked Cranes Protection in Zhaotong Prefecture of China to preserve this endangered species and its habitat
Donors: Rachel Golden, Illinois [October 2002], Alene Case, Pennsylvania, in memory of her parents, Phil and Lola Nordstrom [October 2002]; Diane and Dave Schnaars, Pennsylvania [October 2002]; Trace Foundation; Sam Evans, Washington State [November 2002]
Comment: In October 2001, Virtual Foundation staff members traveled with Sun De-hui to the cranes' migratory habitat in Da Shan Bao, Yunnan Province. We met personally with local officials, farmers and village residents in this beautiful but impoverished region. Sun De-hui has made impressive progress in gathering local support for these birds; now international action and support would greatly help.

Background:
The development of agriculture in the high altitude wetlands of Yunnan Province has been diminishing the habitat of the black-necked cranes. As traditional sources of food for their winter survival diminish, the cranes increasingly eat seeds and crops from the fields, angering farmers whose livelihood is threatened. The black-necked cranes themselves are threatened; only about 900 of them are estimated to exist in China today. For more than ten years, these birds have been listed in the most endangered category (Category A, the same as the pandas). However, laws for their protection have seldom been enforced.

Actions:
Starting in 1998, volunteers upset by the deaths of cranes, and concerned about the increase of farmers shooting cranes, started buying corn and feeding the cranes themselves. They went door-to-door to gather small contributions with which to buy the seed. Local officials supported the volunteers’ efforts, and a broad-based coalition of people became active in this cause. When substantial numbers of cranes died from pesticide poisoning, it highlighted the problems of over-use of pesticides on seeds and fields.

Attention to the plight of the cranes has also led to public attention to the plight of the farmers themselves. Re-located here under an ecologically unwise resettlement policy in the 1970s, these families are struggling to support themselves in an area unsuited to intensive farming, and farm from transportation. Because of Sun De-Hui's efforts, government-paid relocation to more developed and sustainable areas has been offered to these families; many have accepted and some have already left.

Sun De-Hui, the leader of the volunteers’ group, has inspired many with his descriptions of the majesty of the black-necked cranes, their suffering and deaths due to human activities, and their need for a protected habitat. He has received press coverage in English-language media as well as in China.

Forms of Assistance – How You Can Help
Sun De-Hui and his group have both short term and long-term goals. Their most immediate need is for money to buy feed. They also produce their quarterly newsletter which encourages farmers to change their ecologically destructive practices. For the long term, Sun’s dream is to produce a top quality publication which would raise awareness and muster supporters for his group’s efforts throughout China.

Operating Budget – Direct Need

Feed for approximately 700 birds, 4 months (December'02– March '03) @ $275	$1100
Virtual Foundation administrative fee	$100
Total Requested from Virtual Foundation	$1200

Note: A donor could choose to give only enough for one month's supply of feed, in hopes that others will do likewise.

All Photo Credits: Sun De-Hui. Used with permission.