Common cranes and other migratory crane species follow traditional flyways across continents, encountering a growing array of hazards including power lines, hunting, and habitat loss at stopover sites.
Crane migrations expose birds to cumulative welfare hazards across their entire range. Power line collisions cause immediate death or severe injury requiring euthanasia. Loss of wetland staging areas forces cranes into agricultural fields where they face persecution. The social complexity of cranes — with pair bonds lasting decades — means the loss of a mate or companion has welfare implications beyond the individual. Flyway-scale conservation partnerships that address hazards across multiple countries are essential for protecting migrating populations.