Black Crowned Crane (Balearica Pavonina) is one of the six crane species in Africa (Harris and Mirande, 2013) and categorized as Vulnerable Species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They use open grasslands, shallow wetlands and grasslands adjacent to water bodies for feeding, breeding and resting (Williams et al., 2003; Diagana, 2006). Habitat loss, particularly the rapid conversion of wetlands into agricultural fields driven by a need for livelihoods and lack of awareness on the values of wetlands is the major threats of crane. Home range of this species is extended from Senegal and Gambia on the Atlantic coast to the upper Nile River basin in Sudan and the Ethiopia highlands (Meine and Archibald, 1996; Boere et al., 2006, IUCN, 2012).

This project will be conducted in Chora boter district of Jimma Zone in Southwestern Ethiopia to enhance the conservation of Black Crowned cranes. To achieve this objective, Black Crowned crane population monitoring, field observation, interview; training and workshop will be conducted in the area. This project is designed to encourage the conservation of Black Crowned Crane through research, and public education. In public educational campaign various stakeholders will enhance their understanding on the value of biodiversity conservation with special emphasis on Black Crowned Cranes and wetlands. The major findings of this project will be published on open access international journals and website of Rufford Foundation; short documentary video will be developed and uploaded on YouTube for knowledge and information dissemination to wide community.