Cranes are large birds of open habitats that have adopted to life in wetlands and grasslands, and have co-exisited with growing human populations. There are two species of cranes in Zimbabwe namely the Wattled Crane ( Bugeranus carunculatus) and the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regolorum). Both spicies of cranes are “Specially Protected” under the Parks and Wildlife act. The population of these species is declining at an alarming rate. More than three quarters of the population of Wattled Cranes and Grey Crowned Cranes in Zimbabwe are in found Driefontein Grasslands. The Drefontein Grasslands in Gutu District is the key breeding area for cranes in Zimbabwe.
Mushaviri Woodlands
There are also investment opportunities in tourism, where the local council intends to put up Woodlands lodges at Mushaviri dam site. This investment will be complimented with other uses such as site viewing, boat cruising, canoeing, rowing, safari camps and trophy fishing. Ruti dam is currently used for irrigational purposes and there more iinvestiments to be done which includes fisheries, water bottling.