ABOUT THE ANIMAL: The red-crowned crane is a large crane from East Asia, around 5 feet tall with a wingspan of about 8 feet. They are social animals, communicating with various calls. These cranes live in family groups and feed and nest in marshes of deep water and dead vegetation. They are well adapted to the cold, their geographic ranges reaching Southeast Russia and Northeast China. During the colder months, they migrate and mainly inhabit saltmarshes, tidal flats, and wet grasslands. They are omnivores, eating fish, small mammals, grass, reeds, and heath berries. 

ABOUT THE PROBLEM: There are numerous threats to cranes, including development, water contamination, pollution, and invasive species. Habitat loss is disrupting its migration routes. 

ABOUT THE SOLUTION: Projects are underway in Russia and China to develop water management plans, preserve wetlands, educate communities, and restore overwintering areas.