Wildlife agriculture conflicts: case study crane management in the Hula Valley

Common crane numbers have increased greatly since the mid 1990’s in the Hula Valley. With the increase of crane number so too has damage to agricultural crops. In order to solve the conflict a unique project led by growers (including farmers association), NGO'S (Society for the Protection of Nature and JNF/KKL), local business (Agamon HaHula), governmental ministries, and local municipalities (Galil Elion) that combines chasing cranes from fields and feeding in an allocated field. We are studying how crane numbers affects the costs of the project and increases ecotourism. In addition, incorporation with Assaf Chen from Migal, we are also are studying whether drones can be used to both monitor crane numbers and whether drones can be used to monitor crane damage to fields.