Great Crane Project

This is a partnership between RSPB, WWT and Pensthorpe Conservation Tust, and aims to establish a reintroduction programme for common cranes in the UK. Specialist rearing facilities will be built at WWT Slimbridge. 20 birds will be hand-reared from eggs each year. Juveniles will be released at RSPB West Sedgemoor Reserve, which will be managed to create optimum breeding conditions. This totemic species will be an attractive emblem for public engagement. During a five year release programme, 100 cranes will be reared and released into the wild where breeding is expected when they reach 4 – 5 years of age. This registration covers the first three years of the project.