@article {Kone:2007:0030-6525:195, title = "The impact of capture, domestication and trade on Black Crowned Cranes in the Inner Niger Delta, Mali", journal = "Ostrich - Journal of African Ornithology", parent_itemid = "infobike://tandf/ostrich", publishercode ="tandf", year = "2007", volume = "78", number = "2", publication date ="2007-06-01T00:00:00", pages = "195-203", itemtype = "ARTICLE", issn = "0030-6525", eissn = "1727-947X", url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/ostrich/2007/00000078/00000002/art00018", doi = "doi:10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.2.13.93", author = "Kone, Bakary and Fofana, Bouba and Beilfuss, Richard and Dodman, Tim", abstract = "The inland delta of the Niger, a vast floodplain, is the only refuge of Black Crowned Cranes in Mali. This study, centred on the regions of Mopti, Tenenkou and Youwarou, aimed to: (1) census the number of cranes in the delta and in captivity in the towns of Mopti and Bamako; (2) examine exploitation at different levels (local and national) to estimate the number of birds captured and traded, and the sums of money involved; and (3) to set up a plan for the conservation of the species. From April to August 2001 a survey was conducted amongst the hunters, buyers, sellers and those holding cranes in the towns of Mopti and Bamako. In these towns 55 people, most of whom had kept and raised cranes for more than 15 years, had 129 Black Crowned Cranes in captivity. Dealing in cranes is an activity restricted to men (farmers, aviculturalists, fishermen and traders). Over the period 19982000, 165 birds were bought and sold, while 70 had been exported to other countries. The average purchase price from a hunter was E24. In the delta the selling price was on average 36 278FCFA (francs of the African Financial Community) (E55), whereas in the towns the price was 104 778FCFA (E159) over the same time period. All trophies from the hunt were also sold. Clearly, the survival of this species is threatened both by habitat destruction and by hunting. Under captive conditions the birds do not breed and continued captures could lead to the extinction of cranes in Mali. A plan for the protection of the species has been drawn up and financial support is now being sought. ", }