Whooping Crane Update, December 4, 2007
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Whooper
Reintroduction Updates
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| OM Ground Crew Megan Kennedy and Nathan Hurst on their
way to release the cranes. Photo by Joan Garland |
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| They're off! Photo by Joan Garland |
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| Cranes and planes on their way to Russell County, KY.
Photo by Joan Garland |
Current Trip:
Fall 2007 Eastern Whooping
Crane Migration
Entry December 4
Whooping Crane Update,
December 4, 2007
This morning in Washington County, Kentucky, the wind finally changed
its disposition, enabling the Whooping Cranes and crew with Operation
Migration to continue on their migration. After being grounded for nine
days, the cranes and crew are now in Russell County, Kentucky.
I’m
happy to report that all 17 Whooping Cranes made it safely to the last
stopover site in Kentucky. Number 33-07, who apparently saw enough of
southern Indiana and northern Kentucky on his little migration
sabbatical, stayed with the group the entire time.
Meanwhile,
the other 59 Whooping Cranes in the eastern migratory population have
all begun their migration--none of the birds remain in Wisconsin. From
what I’ve heard, Wisconsin doesn’t sound very
hospitable to birds or
people right now--snow and ice storms are blanketing much of the state
(glad I’m in Kentucky!). Six Whooping Cranes have
successfully migrated
to Florida, including #W1-06 (the wild hatched chick from 2006).
The
seven 2007 DAR (Direct Autumn Release) cranes are in two locations. Six
of the cranes remain at their previous location in central Illinois.
DAR bird #46-07 was captured in southwestern Arkansas on December 1 and
released that evening at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County,
Tennessee. Nine other Whooping Cranes and thousands of Sandhill Cranes
are on the refuge. Hopefully, the ultralight-led cranes will be joining
them soon.
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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