Cranes are among the world's most iconic migratory birds, undertaking remarkable journeys that put them at risk from habitat loss, power lines, and hunting. Their welfare across the flyway demands international cooperation.
Cranes face welfare threats across their entire annual cycle. On breeding grounds, wetland drainage removes nesting habitat and exposes nests to predators. During migration, exhausted birds must navigate a gauntlet of power lines, hunting pressure, and shrinking stopover sites where food and rest are essential for completing their journey. On wintering grounds, conflict with agricultural land use and deliberate poisoning occur. The welfare of each individual crane is shaped by the entire flyway — a chain of habitats across multiple countries where any weak link can cause mass mortality. International conservation partnerships and habitat protection agreements are the most impactful welfare interventions at this scale.