Cranes and Crops: Investigating Farmer Tolerances toward Crop Damage by Threatened Blue Cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus) in the Western Cape, South Africa

摘要: The Western Cape population of Blue Cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus) in South Africa is great importance as the largest throughout its range. However, are strongly associated with agricultural lands Cape, and therefore may come into conflict farmers who perceive them damaging to crops. We investigated viability this by exploring farmer attitudes toward crane damage two regions Swartland Overberg, using semi-structured interviews. Perceptions cranes differed widely between regions: perceived flocks be particularly feed crop sweet lupin (65 % reported some level cranes), 40 % these more problematic than other common bird pests. Farmers Overberg did not highly damaging, although there was concern about eating at sheep troughs. had experienced large on their farms ranked pests often livelihoods. Biographical variables profiles could related perception damage, indicating complexity human-wildlife conflict. Farmers’ need for management alternatives severity damage. These results highlight location-specific solutions cranes, contribute vulnerable species.