ICF and Partners Continue Our Commitment to the Return of Whooping Cranes
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Whooper
Reintroduction Updates
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| Photo by Marianne Wellington |
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| Photo by Marianne Wellington |
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| Photo by Sara Zimorski |
Current Trip:
Winter 2007: Monitoring the
Whooping Cranes
Entry February 6
ICF and Partners
Continue Our Commitment to the Return of Whooping Cranes
The recent losses in Florida—for
humans and cranes—are
truly devastating. Our thoughts are with the many people who have lost
so much during the storm on February 1-2. The tragedy is a powerful
reminder of the fragility of all life, and of the delicate plight of
the Whooping Crane.
This weekend has been a somber time for
everyone at ICF, and everyone connected with the project. To view a
photo taken last week of the 2006 ultralight cohort, click
here.
We
were heartened when ICF’s Marianne Wellington briefly heard
the radio
signal from the young crane #15-06 on Saturday afternoon—we
had
recovered the bodies from 17 of the young cranes, that drowned
according to preliminary autopsy results. But this last bird was
missing—buried in sand?
On Sunday, from an airplane, our
tracking team located and saw #15-06, and subsequently observed him
from the ground. He is alive and well, not far away and inland with
Sandhill Cranes.
We are grateful that our eastern flock still
has six chicks added from all the efforts in 2006, including 15-06 and
four young birds released in Wisconsin by a second method, Direct
Autumn Release; these four joined wild cranes at Necedah and followed
them south on migration. They are all now in Florida. The sixth chick
is the first wild offspring from our population, hatched and reared at
Necedah. She migrated south with her parents. This natural breeding
marks the first wild Whooping Crane hatched and raised in the Midwest
in over 100 years. We anticipate more wild reproduction next spring.
ICF—along
with everyone in the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership
(WCEP)—remains
fully committed to assisting the recovery of the endangered Whooping
Crane. Our goal is to achieve 25 breeding pairs in this population that
migrates between Wisconsin and the southern U.S. WCEP will be carefully
evaluating the recent tragic events, so that any needed precautions can
be made to minimize future risks to the cranes. Despite the setback, we
remain optimistic for a secure future for Whooping Cranes and are
already making preparations to strengthen next year's class of birds
added to the population. We look forward to sharing updates and new
milestones with you as we begin the 7th year of releases.
Some
friends have asked how they can help at this time. We would be very
grateful for your contributions toward this ongoing, hopeful project.
Please call (608) 356-9462 or send your gift to:
Whooping Crane Recovery
International Crane Foundation
E11376 Shady Lane Road
P.O. Box 447
Baraboo, WI 53913
or
click here to make a gift through ICF's website.
Thank you for your concern and for supporting this vital work. Please
feel free to email
us with any questions.
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