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Cranes

Cranes have been around for nearly 40 million years.  There are 15 species (types) of cranes across the world. Cranes became extinct in the UK around 400 years ago as they were hunted for food and the wetlands they lived in were drained and used for farming.

Cranes sometimes appear in the UK when bad weather causes them to lose their way when flying (migrating) across Europe. 

In the 1970s, three cranes ended up spending the winter in the UK.  They liked what they found and stayed put.  The numbers of cranes grew and there are now around 50 cranes in the UK.  They live in Norfolk, Suffolk, Somerset and on Humberside.

WWT has been helping to look after young cranes and introduce them back to the wild.  This means in the future that cranes will live in the UK as they did before they became extinct.  

WWT will help look after over 100 young cranes and introduce them all to the wild.  This work is part of The Great Crane Project.   

Where to see cranes and find out more

You can adopt your own crane with WWT.  You can also see cranes up close and personally at WWT London, Slimbridge, Martin Mere and Washington.

Click on the picture below to find out about Crane school at WWT Slimbridge and watch Crane Country; a short film about the Great Crane Project.