Satellite telemetry reveals the Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis in Nepal Himalayas

Summary

The Near Threatened Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis is the world’s only exclusively alpine crane. Although native to China, India, and Bhutan, comprehensive information regarding its flyways, breeding grounds, stopover sites, and overall distribution in Nepal has been lacking. In 2020, we deployed satellite transmitters on Black-necked Cranes in Tibet, two of which were tracked moving into various localities within Nepal. Using a combination of primary tracking data and secondary records, we present the first detailed distribution map of the Black-necked Crane in Nepal. This confirms their presence across the Humla, Mugu, Bajura, Mustang, Kaski, and Rasuwa districts. Although the tracked individuals remained in Nepal only for brief periods, these movements suggest potential population dispersal. This discovery offers a valuable baseline for the conservation management of this species in Nepal and across its broader range.