The first ultralight-led whooping cranes from the Class of 2008 have just arrived back in Wisconsin! Eva Szyszkoski, ICF Tracking Field Manager and Jess Thompson, ICF Tracking Intern, picked up the radio transmitter signals of numbers 4-08, 14-08 and 18-08 this morning over the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.  The birds are currently in the core reintroduction area southeast of the refuge. 

The cranes were part of the first group of four whooping cranes that departed the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida on March 24. The fourth bird, #19-08 split off from the group in late March in Etowah County, Alabama.  The location of #19-08 is currently unknown.  Stay tuned for further updates…

Update by Joan Garland, ICF Education Outreach Coordinator/WCEP Communications & Outreach Team Co-chair.  Report provided by Sara Zimorski, ICF Aviculturist/WCEP Tracking & Winter Management Team Co-chair.