There are two populations of the white cranes – in Yakutia and West Siberia. Their total number does not exceed 3000 birds. The drastic situation is with the West-Siberian white cranes on the territory of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district and Tumen Region – there are only 20 ones there.
White crane is a unique bird. Its height is as tall as the height of the human –160 centimeters and the reach of its wings is around two & a half meters. White crane can live as long as the human - up to 60-70 years, and its appearance on the territory of Russia dates back to 5 000 000 years.
For the people of the North of Russia white crane is a sacred bird, personification of the highest forces. The main cause of their extinction is poaching, at that, mainly, it does not occur in Russia. For example, the migration route of the West-Siberian population of the white cranes to India is through Afghanistan and Pakistan where there is still the tradition of the white cranes hunting to say nothing that they are also eaten.