Conservation Efforts for the Black-necked Crane in Ladakh

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Key takeaways

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Indian Army have sterilized over 2,950 stray dogs in Ladakh since 2022 to protect the Black-necked Crane.
The Black-necked Crane is the official State Bird of Ladakh and the world's only crane species that breeds exclusively in alpine wetlands.
Found across India, China, Bhutan, and Nepal, this bird holds a Near Threatened status on the IUCN Red List.
Conserving its habitat helps protect fragile freshwater ecosystems and supports local pastoral livelihoods in the Trans-Himalayan region.

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) joined hands with the Indian Army and local officials in Ladakh to protect local wildlife.
Together, they have sterilized more than 2,950 stray dogs in the region since 2022.
This conservation drive aims to prevent stray dogs from hunting the Black-necked Crane and its young chicks.

Out of 15 crane species in the world, the Black-necked Crane is the only one that lives exclusively in alpine regions.
People locally call this bird Thrung Thrung Karmo in Dzongkha and Cha Tung-Tung in Ladakhi.
The administration has designated this unique species as the official State Bird of Ladakh.

These cranes build their breeding sites in high alpine marshes and river wetlands at altitudes between 2,600 and 4,900 meters.
During winter, they fly down to lower valleys and farmland between 1,900 and 3,800 meters in Bhutan, China, and Arunachal Pradesh.
In Arunachal Pradesh, they mostly spend winters in the Sangti and Zimithang valleys.
Their natural habitat spans four countries, which are India, China, Bhutan, and Nepal.
The IUCN Red List classifies the Black-necked Crane under the Near Threatened category.

Adult birds have grey body feathers, a dark black neck and tail, long black legs, a bare red head crown, and a white spot behind the eyes.
It stands as the only crane species worldwide that completes its full breeding cycle in high-altitude Trans-Himalayan and Tibetan wetlands.
These birds choose one partner for their entire life and protect their nesting area using synchronized calls and dance displays.
They build mound nests in shallow wetland waters to protect their eggs and chicks from land predators.
Their varied diet includes plant roots, aquatic grass, harvested grains like barley, as well as insects, frogs, and small fish.

Cultural traditions across Ladakh and Bhutan honor this bird as a sacred symbol of peace, long life, and good fortune.
The presence of this bird shows that high-altitude wetlands are in good ecological health.
Protecting its wetland home helps save valuable freshwater resources and supports local herding communities.