Impacts of Agricultural Activities on the Conservation of Grey Crowned Crane in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Birds provide crucial ecological, cultural, and economic benefits, from pollination and seed dispersal to pest control and serving as indicators of ecosystem health. In Africa, the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is both a cultural emblem and an ecological sentinel. Yet, its population in Kenya has declined by over 80% since the 1980s, driven largely by wetland loss, agricultural expansion, grazing pressure, and urban development. Uasin Gishu County, with its mosaic of productive farmland and wetlands, supports about 21% of the national crane population, making it a critical site for conservation. This study explored how agricultural activities influence Grey Crowned Crane conservation, aiming to provide insights for sustainable habitat management. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining household questionnaires, field observations, participatory mapping, and checklists. Stratified sampling targeted 400 households across six sub-counties, with proportional allocation and systematic selection around wetlands. A pilot survey in Trans Nzoia County helped refine the questionnaire, ensuring clarity and relevance. Reliability testing yielded Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.80. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 21, with percentages, frequencies, and chi-square tests applied to explore links between agricultural practices and crane conservation. Ethical approval was obtained from NACOSTI, with voluntary participation and strict confidentiality maintained throughout. Of 324 questionnaires administered, 316 were returned (97.5%). Most respondents were male (66.1%) and over 36 years old (65.1%), with crop farming being the dominant occupation (41.5%). About 60% reported crane breeding in their areas, primarily in wetlands (80.3%; χ² = 124.93, df = 2, p < 0.001). Cranes were most often seen in agricultural fields (48.9%) and seasonally flooded wetlands (31.1%; χ² = 48.20, df = 3, p < 0.001), engaging mainly in feeding (77.3%), breeding (13.0%), and roosting (8.5%; χ² = 147.05, df = 3, p < 0.001). More than half of respondents (51.1%) observed declining populations, with cranes exhibiting local and seasonal movements (79.6%; χ² = 36.0, df = 1, p < 0.001). Key threats included wetland conversion, chemical poisoning, fires, overgrazing, and tree cutting. The findings highlight that agricultural expansion and related activities are major pressures on crane habitats and breeding success. Effective conservation requires protecting wetlands, regulating chemical use, and engaging communities in sustainable land management. Aligning crane conservation with agricultural practices can safeguard both biodiversity and rural livelihoods in Uasin Gishu County.