Black-necked Cranes

For the residents of Ladakh, the cold desert region in India’s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, the black-necked crane is held in high regard. Its mating dance is an important part of every cultural program and festival, and many monasteries feature paintings of the crane alongside other spiritual art.

Why has it been in News?

• It is under severe threat from man’s best friend: dogs.
• The main threat to the successful breeding of the species in Ladakh is the damage that feral dogs cause to the eggs and chicks of the bird, according to WWF-India. It says the dogs are ....