• MISSION STATEMENT
  The KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation was founded in 1989 to promote the conservation of southern Africa’s three species and the preservation of their wetland and grassland habitats.

  The aims of the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation are :

  • To foster and encourage the awareness of and interest in cranes and their habitat.
  • To promote and implement crane and crane habitat research & monitoring.
  • To promote wise habitat management & restoration.
  • To provide facilities for the study and enjoyment of cranes, their natural habitat and wetlands
  • To promote, facilitate and implement population management strategies of captive and wild cranes.



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• BRIEF HISTORY
  Cranes are ambassadors for two of the most vital ecosystems in South Africa – the grasslands and wetlands, which make up our water catchment areas. All South Africans are dependent upon the good management of these biodiversity ‘hotspots’ as are the cranes that inhabit them. South Africa is world-renowned for its rich biodiversity and the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation is one of the groups answering the call to raise the levels of public awareness about cranes and to conserve these special species and their habitats. It all started in 1989 with the support of the International Crane Foundation in the United States, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa and Birdlife-SA and today, partners also include Mondi Forests and the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (Nature Conservation Services). Working closely with the South African Crane Working Group (SACWG) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, the KZN CF was initially based at the 186ha Hlatikulu Crane and Wetland Sanctuary in the foothills of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg near Giants Castle Nature Reserve. An ongoing wetland rehabilitation programme there is proving successful and wild cranes are making it their home. The KZN CF’s focus in the 1990s was Wattled Crane breeding and release but this has progressed to a focus on fieldwork, research, education and awareness. The KZN CF’s headquarters moved from Hlatikulu to Nottingham Road in 2001, where the development of the Usher Conservation Centre (UCC) and the Nottingham Road Crane and Oribi Sanctuary is another success story for the Foundation. The Sanctuary adjoins the eastern boundary of the village of Nottingham Road which falls within the magisterial district of Howick and under the administration of the Umngeni Municipality (KZN 222). The area is 445 hectares in extent. The land is owned by the KZN Crane Foundation and consists of five subdivisions, four of which were donated. In the case of all five, reversionary clauses in favour of the donors and their heirs have been included in the title deeds. The clauses would only come into effect were the KZNCF cease to exist and no equivalent wildlife conservation organization be identified as a suitable successor to manage the sanctuary. The KZN CF would like to acknowledge the very generous donation of land by:
  • the late Mr Peter Brown (son – Mr Chris Brown)
  • My Jon Bates
  • Mr James Berning

The Usher Conservation Centre, the head quarters of the KZN CF in Nottingham Road

Thanks to numerous donations from the general public and the Lady Nora Usher Memorial Trust, Mondi Forests, The Lotteries Board (National Lottery) and friends, the KZN CF is able to work towards its aims and objectives.

The National Lottery are thanked for their support of the KZN CF

• DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
  Membership of the KZN Crane Foundation enables you to support the work of the Foundation and also entitles you to a quarterly newsletter containing articles of interest about cranes, work in crane conservation and the KZN CF activities.

  CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP:
  

  Ordinary	R150-00
  Pensioner/Student	R100-00
  Family	R250-00
  Institutional	R-00
  Corporate	R1250-00
  Foundation (Life)	On request