Whooping Cranes-Survival of the Few

One female found dead at the side of the road….

In 2008 it was recorded that 315 adult whooping cranes existed in Texas, Florida and Wisconsin. On January 5, 2010 pilot Gary Ritchey of the Air Transit Solution of Castroville, Texas recorded seeing 244 adult whooping cranes along with 19 juveniles at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This is exciting news. The numbers have increased by 19 birds from the previous month’s aerial count at the 115,000 acre refuge in the state of Texas.

Aransas supports the biggest wild flock of whooping cranes during winter time. Another spot these birds hang out is in Wood Buffalo National Park of Canada, which is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Wood Buffalo houses the only natural wild flock in existence. The birds spend their summer months in Wood Buffalo. When cold weather approaches they leave and migrate approximately 2500 miles in order to reach Aransas.

Whooping Cranes are large birds, and stand roughly five feet tall. They have an impressive seven-foot wingspan. Their feathers are bright white, and their wingtips are black. These black markings can only been seen when the birds stretch out their wings, or during flight. With long necks and long legs, they are able to see long distances. The birds mate for life and have wild courtship displays. Head bows, loud calling, wing flapping and dramatic leaps in the air all show a bird is ready to mate. These thrilling displays begin as winter is drawing to a close.

The birds are native to North America and can live up to 30 years in the wild. They do not start producing eggs until they are four to five years in age.

In 1941 only 15 cranes were found alive in Texas. These birds were captured and put into a breeding program in order to save their species from extinction. All of the birds alive today are descendents of these birds. Since it takes awhile for them to reproduce, raising the number of young takes time and patience. With so few females to teach their babies the way of the world, humans have had to step in and try their best to recreate what nature does so well.

To achieve this goal, an eastern U.S. population of whooping cranes was established as part of a recovery effort to save these birds from extinction. The birds are raised with humans near, but not intrusively present. Handlers dressed in white cloth and puppeted hands attempt to show the birds how to raise a baby on their own. The puppets resemble crane heads and necks, and the chicks feed from hands that become their “mothers”.  Once the birds are ready to begin their wild life, small, ultra light aircraft lead these birds on their migratory path. The aircraft fly in the lead with the birds traveling behind. When the birds rest, so do the aircraft. It has been a successful venture, and has brought a struggling population back to a precarious foothold.

Recently an event rocked the conservation efforts of whooping crane enthusiasts. Sometime between November 28 and December 1^st, whooping crane #17-02 was found dead in central VermillionCounty in Indiana. The female bird was found by Eva Szyszkoski, International Crane Foundation Tracking Field Manager and Jess Thompson, ICF Tracking Intern. The female was shot during her migratory route. Since this bird was one of the first captive breed, reintroduced birds to successfully rear a chick, this is upsetting news.

This shooting has called the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to get involved. They are offering a $2500.00 reward for information regarding this killing. Any information leading to a conviction will help bring to justice those who violate an endangered species existence. If you have any information to share, you may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 317-346-7016, or you may call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 800-847-4367. All information can be given anonymously.

The whooping cranes of North America are outstanding testaments to the avian world. They are majestic, faithful, and beautiful, and desperately in need of preservation.  Supporting conservation groups like the International Crane Foundation and the Whooping Crane Conservation Association is a way to help bring this bird back to America.

Right now, the cranes are feasting on blue crabs, crayfish, frogs and wolf berries. They are standing tall and proud along the water’s edge, living the life that was intended. Perhaps the person who shot crane #17-02 will be caught. Maybe this individual will have an attack of conscience and come forward. If not, let’s hope there are more female cranes able to raise young on their own, so they too can teach their babies what it takes to survive.

 
Thanks International Crane Foundation for supplying the wonderful photographs in this piece.