The first month of autumn is rich in environmental holidays. Thus, on the second Sunday of September, World Crane Day is celebrated.
The first ancestors of these beautiful birds appeared in the time of dinosaurs, about 40–60 million years ago. The historical homeland of cranes is considered to be North America, from where they migrated first to Asia, and from there to Africa and Australia. Currently, the crane population is widespread throughout the world, with the only exceptions being Antarctica and South America. The main wintering grounds for cranes are – Iran and western India.
In total there are about 15 species of cranes, seven of them nest in Russia. Some species of cranes are listed in the Red Book.
The crane was once a game bird, but is now protected by law. However, despite protests from the international conservation and ornithological community, some countries (for example, Afghanistan and Pakistan) still have traditions of hunting fly cranes.
Crane Day was first celebrated in 2002 in the USA. Advocating for the rescue of the endangered species of the American crane, environmental scientists placed its eggs in the nests of cranes of other species that were sent to nest in safe places. The day when a whole brood of rescued birds went to nest was declared a new environmental holiday, and the crane became a symbol of organizations protecting nature.
The organizer of Crane Day is the working group on Eurasian cranes with the support of the secretariat of the Bonn Convention (convention for the protection of migratory species of wild animals), the Global Environment Facility for the Protection of Siberian Crane (Siberian White Crane) and its habitats and the International Crane Conservation Fund with the participation of the Union for the Protection of Birds of Russia and Moscow Zoo.
The celebration of World Crane Day coincides with the annual records of cranes, which are held in the pre-departure period. The holiday itself in different countries is accompanied by festivals, promotions, competitions and photo exhibitions dedicated to cranes, as well as excursions to places of autumn bird gatherings, where everyone can take part in their counting.
Postcard «World Crane Day»