DAR Birds Released! October 31, 2007
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Whooper
Reintroduction Updates
Current Trip:
Fall 2007 Eastern Whooping
Crane Migration
Entry October 31
DAR Birds Released!
October 31, 2007
The 10 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) cranes were released October 29 and
30 on central Wisconsin’s Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.
Chicks for
DAR are reared at Necedah NWR by biologists from ICF and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. The juvenile birds are released in the company of
older cranes after fledging, or developing their flight feathers. The
young cranes learn the migration route from these older birds. Four
Whooping Cranes were released each year in 2005 and 2006 using this
method.
“We
are all excited by the news of the successful release of the DAR
birds,” said Jim Hook, President and CEO of ICF.
“We are delighted with
the increase in cranes this year, as it represents more than the
cumulative total of DAR birds released in past years. We hope the
increased population of DAR cranes will allow us to better evaluate the
future success of the Direct Autumn Release project.”
Of the 10
cranes that were recently released, sadly, one was killed on the night
of October 29 by a predator. Biologists from ICF and USFWS are tracking
the remaining nine cranes using radio telemetry, picking up radio waves
emitted from leg transmitters on the birds.
Meanwhile, the 17
Whooping Cranes and crew with Operation Migration are currently at
their last Wisconsin stopover in Green County. If Mother Nature
cooperates tomorrow, the cranes and crew will hopefully arrive in
Illinois.
Update by Joan Garland, ICF Acting Director of Education.
This email is generated by the International Crane Foundation located
at E11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI. 53913. Visit our website
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