Year 2010 has been set by the UN as the Year of Biodiversity (Biodiversity Year). And the Siberian crane, viewed as a milestone in efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Siberian crane is one of the most endangered species in the list of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).  So that, this beautiful and graceful creature was chosen as the flag bearer of projects aimed at restoring peat as habitat for migratory water birds.

Since the year 2008, the International Crane Foundation (ICF) began cooperating with the Academy of sciences in Pyongyang, North Korean, and BirdLife International to restore Anbyon as a migration destination during the winter.
Academy of Sciences in Pyongyang in November 2009 inform that there are 22 of Siberian crane landed in Anbyon and can live in harmony with others.  The next day, a number of Siberian cranes which landed increased to 41. It should be noted, that it was the first landing in the last 10 years. The news is also evidence that peatland restoration projects over seven years showed a positive result.

According to records, the number of Siberian crane at this time is about 3000-3500. Thus this project aims to keep them alive and also aim to protect the millions of other migratory birds. For Siberian crane especially, there are two migration routes of birds with furthest migration distance, which is 5000 kilometers. They also must pass a row of the highest mountain in the world, as well as desert. These birds have been endangered since the 1970s. Even in 1996 there was only one pair of birds who came to India, while in 1974, there were 75 birds that come. In the entire world, population of water birds fell 40 percent while in Asia, the population fell 59 percent.

Legendary Animals
The figure of Siberian crane, which is slender, white and clear, opened the imagination about music and dance.  And it has been happens for thousands of years. Indigenous communities in the tundra regions of Russia, where these birds breed, considered as a sacred bird.

Khanty community in western Siberia keeps their deer herd away from the nest of Siberian crane. And they kill a bear that is expected to harm the bird.  After killing a bear, they will wear clothing like birds and dancing to exorcise bear.

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