Cranes of Asia is working to save:
Red crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)
Estimated population is 2,700 and decreasing. 1,800 migratory birds breed in Far Eastern Russia and North-Eastern China. Muraviovka Park is one of its few remaining breeding and stop-over areas. International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing is Endangered.
Hooded Crane (Grus monacha)
Estimated population is 9,500 and stable. Non-breeding flocks occur within the Russia-Mongolia-China border region. Muraviovka Park is one of its few important stop-over areas. 100% of the population that use the park as a roosting site feed outside of protected areas. IUCN listing is Vulnerable.
Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana)
Estimated population is 3,000 with significant declines in breeding birds reported in Russia. The main wintering grounds are in the lower Yangtze basin and southern China. Muraviovka Park is one of the key nesting areas, up to 12 nests annually. IUCN listing is Endangered.
Habitat
Muraviovka Park. Established in part to protect the diminishing wetlands of the Russian Far East, the park consists of approximately 5,970 hectares of wetlands with sedges, reeds, grasslands and scattered trees and bushes, and 700 hectares of adjacent crop fields. The entire project area is 40% wetlands, 49% grasslands, 1% forest, and 10% agriculture or human habitation.
Critical threats to wildlife
· Long-term drought in the protected area
· Fires that eliminate the dead grass necessary for nest camouflage
· Predators and competitors due to the growing impact of the drought and fires
· Disturbance by spring hunting on waterfowl
· Collisions with power lines
· Use of pesticides and herbicides
Cranes of Asia Success Stories
- The staff has managed to minimize the damage and stop the spread of approximately 15 wildfires in critical wildlife habitats during the past three years.
- A clear understanding of where the nesting locations are and what microhabitat types are needed for Red-crowned and White-naped Cranes as well as Oriental White Storks to reproduce successfully.
- The farm, woodshop and tourism operations now cover approximately 40-50% of the annual budget.
- Community involvement, (measured by the number of volunteer hours), increased by 47% from 2006-2007. In 2009 volunteer hours had already reached 44% of 2007 total by mid-May (well before the summer months when weather and school vacations permit more involvement).
Because of its diverse environmental, cultural and social activities, Muraviovka Park has become a beloved “Island of Hope” for a growing number of Amur Region residents – a place for learning, resting, hiking, enjoying nature, participating in environmental and conservation action, festivals, summer camps and seminars.