Population

Population threats

The biggest threat to Blue cranes is habitat destruction by converting natural biomes to agricultural land. As humans continue to increase in number, agricultural expansion, persecution, disturbance, and the grazing of livestock also intensifies, and these threats will probably become worse. Other threats are colliding with power lines, predation by dogs, and illegal capture of chicks for the pet trade and for food.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Blue crane is over 25,580 individuals, with a minimum of 25,520 individuals in South Africa. This species’ numbers are stable currently but it is classified as vulnerable (VU) on the list of threatened species.