Endangered lucky charms: Crowned crane is zoo animal of the year

The crowned crane is the 2026 Zoo Animal of the Year. The animal, which is native to Africa, is receiving the award from the Zoological Society for Species and Population Conservation (ZGAP) to draw attention to its increasing threat. "The cranes are threatened by the loss of habitat and the increased use of pesticides in agriculture," said project coordinator Viktoria Michel at the presentation of this year's campaign at Dresden Zoo.

The population of the crowned crane, of which there are two different species with several subspecies, has declined by 80 percent in East Africa alone over the past 40 years. Today, there are estimated to be fewer than 100,000 animals left in the wetlands and small-scale farming landscapes of central and southern Africa, explains project coordinator Michel. The birds are hunted illegally, captured and kept in hotel gardens, for example, the veterinarian for zoo and wild animals continued.

Crowned crane is a talented locust hunter

In many cultures in the Sahel region of Africa, the animal is revered as a lucky charm and guardian of the health of humans and livestock. In Uganda, the crowned crane adorns the country's national flag. The animals reach a wingspan of two meters. They are talented locust hunters and thus help to contain huge swarms of migratory locusts, which can repeatedly destroy entire harvests in Africa.

The campaign collects donations to support conservation projects to protect the bird species in Kenya, Burundi and Tanzania - for example to purchase vehicles or train volunteers. Cooperation with local communities is a particular focus. Experience has shown that "conservation projects can only be successful together with the local people", says Dag Enke, President of the Association of Zoological Gardens (VDZ).

Campaign launched ten years ago for species conservation

The "Zoo Animal of the Year" campaign is all about species conservation. The campaign was launched ten years ago to campaign for highly endangered animal species that are not so well known or whose threat is rarely discussed. The crowned crane succeeds the armadillo, which received the award last year.