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Experts believe decline of blue crane is linked to climate change

# South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, has been reclassified as vulnerable due to a significant population decline, particularly a 44-percent drop in the Western Cape’s Overberg region over 15-years. The population is also declining in the semi-desert region of the Karoo, home to the majority of blue cranes in the country. Endangered Wildlife Trust conservation scientist Christie Craig says the decline has been linked to climate change, citing heat-related nesting failures. He says the birds are also facing threats from power lines, machinery and agrochemicals.