25.02.2010 International cooperation saving Siberian crane

The bird, which has pure white plumage and stands about 1.4 metres (4.6 feet) tall, is considered to be in serious danger of extinction with an estimated population of just 3,000 to 3,500 left.

"The future of the Siberian crane is looking brighter thanks to the international effort by China, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia, four countries along the bird's migratory routes," said Claire Mirande, director of the Siberian Crane Wetland Project.

The Siberian crane migrates about 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) every year from its breeding grounds in northern Siberia to Iran or southern China. Large parts of the wetlands on its route are being drained for farming.

Mirande was speaking at the annual meeting of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the Indonesian island of Bali.

She said UNEP's crane project in the countries involved has played a key role in boosting the conservation and rehabilitation of 16 critical wetlands over the two main routes flown by the birds.