Cranes are universally regarded as symbols of peace and good luck. Blue Cranes are Critically Endangered in Namibia. Their numbers here have declined sharply from 80 in 1992, 60 in 1994, 51 in 2006 and 35 in 2009 to 23 in 2013 and – on a more encouraging note – increasing slightly to 32 in 2017. The cranes are found mainly around the south-eastern edges of the Etosha Pan (where they breedrnin summer) and Andoni, but spend the winter north of the Etosha National Park. As part of ongoing research into the cranes' biology and ecology, more than 30 chicks have been fitted with green plastic rings, each with a unique code. Please report any crane sightings, together with the date, place (GPS location if possible), group size, details of marked birds (including photographs) and your own contact details to the Namibia Crane Working Group: email ecoserve@iway.na.