Grey crowned cranes are charismatic African birds facing threats from habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. Their welfare in zoos requires appropriate social grouping and wetland habitat design.
Crowned crane welfare in captivity depends on social structure and environmental variety. As bonded pair animals, they should be housed with stable partners and have space for courtship display behaviour — restricting these displays removes a significant positive welfare experience. Wetland exhibit design with shallow wading areas satisfies their natural foraging motivation, as crowned cranes feed by probing shallow water and grassland for insects and small animals. Captive crowned cranes contribute to conservation education by demonstrating the beauty and charisma that makes them targets for illegal capture, helping build public support for wild population protection in Uganda and Kenya.