Endangered whooping cranes killed in Florida storms

[seafan]

Endangered cranes killed in Fla. storms

By JAMES A. CARLSON
Associated Press Writer

February 3, 2007

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- All 18 endangered young whooping cranes that were led south from Wisconsin last fall as part of a project to create a second migratory flock of the birds were killed in storms in Florida, a spokesman said.
The cranes were being kept in an enclosure at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge near Crystal River, Fla., when violent storms moved in Thursday night, said Joe Duff, co-founder of Operation Migration, the organization coordinating the project.

"The birds were checked in late afternoon the day before, and they were fine," he said Friday.
The area of the enclosure was unreachable by workers at night, and all the birds were found dead, Duff said. He speculated that a strong storm surge drew the tide in and overwhelmed the birds. The official cause of the deaths was not immediately known, but he said it may have been drowning.
The thunderstorms and at least one tornado that hit central Florida caused widespread damage and killed at least 19 people.
For the past six years, whooping cranes hatched in captivity have been raised at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin by workers who wear crane-like costumes to keep the birds wary of humans.

Ultralight aircraft are used to teach new groups of young cranes the migration route to Florida. From then on, the birds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall on their own.
Duff described the loss as an "unavoidable disaster" for the whooping cranes project that ironically followed a milestone.
For the first time in six years, an entire group of young birds reared at the Necedah refuge had made it to the Florida refuge without the loss of a single crane.

.....

Operation Migration is part of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership. Partnership officials and Duff said the work would continue.
Members of the whooping crane recovery team were meeting in Louisiana when the Florida storm occurred, going over the past year's progress and setting goals for this year, when they learned what had happened, Duff said.
After the initial shock, "it just reinforced the support and determination to get this done," he said.
The whooping crane, the tallest bird in North America, was near extinction in 1941, with only about 20 left.

.....

Operation Migration: http://operationmigration.org/index.html

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership: http://www.bringbackthecranes.org

[SharonAnn]

1. I saw that. What a heartbreaking thing. The species is nearly extinct.

[Virginia Dare]

2. Damn, damn, damn...what a tragedy

:cry:

[HereSince1628]

3. Anyone know why the birds were penned up?

Was the belief that they still weren't able to fend for themselves? Or was it to protect them from danger?

Not critical just curious about the ability of cranes during their first winter.

[seafan]

10. Mostly for protection of the juveniles against predators and to make sure they are nourished fully

...before they are added to the population.

Here is a good link for detailed, updated information about the care of the flock.


These people are truly dedicated to the survival of these beautiful birds.

[postulater]

4. Those are truly magnificent birds

I saw one of the earlier generation that had returned from Florida to Horicon Marsh, a real treat.

And the people who work with them are totally dedicated. A sad day, makes the -20 wind chill here seem even more frigid.

Here's the projects website.
<http://operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html>

Any donations are welcome.

[lpbk2713]

15. I guess this is the enclosure?

Damn shame for the birds and for all that effort on their behalf.

[Dudley_DUright]

5. Damn

I have seen these wonderful birds both at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo WI and also here in FL. I don't know if I have the heart to tell my wife about it. :cry:

[Benhurst]

6. Sad news, indeed. Does anyone how many are left now?

[seafan]

8. FL migratory flock now is down to 63, with ~60 non-migratory. TX flock has ~200.

The various groups and agencies working on the project had seen the size of the flock grow to 81 birds with the latest arrivals, but the loss of the young cranes drops the total back to 63, and there may have been additional losses.

The other wild whooping crane flock in North America has about 200 birds and migrates from Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast. A non-migratory flock in Florida has about 60 birds.

[Benhurst]

9. Thanks, seafan.

:hi:

[Lorien]

11. I saw three in Kissimmee Florida years ago

magnificent creatures; they even make sandhill cranes look a bit petite!

[against all enemies]

7. Better get used to it. Climate change will have many victims.

[brentspeak]

12. Is there a list of animal species recently made extinct?

Or of species on the verge of extinction?

I can understand why the dinosaurs became extinct (worldwide devastation due to an asteroid pummeling the earth), but I can't see why species today should become extinct (except for humans killing them off, that is).

[seafan]

13. These links have it:

Global Extinctions http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/animals.htm

The 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species http://www.iucnredlist.org/

The World Conservation Union http://www.iucn.org/

[brentspeak]

14. Thanks, seafan

[seafan]

16. Update: One bird found alive, in the company of sandhill cranes

From Operation Migration's Field Journal:

Date: February 4, 2007 - Entry 2


Update - We have a survivor!


#615 has been found with 2 Sandhill cranes in a relatively inaccessible area with good habitat. The Tracking Team will carefully monitor the juvenile. This is very good news on what has otherwise been dark days for us all.

The body of number 615 was not found in the pen with the rest. Initially he was assumed to be buried in the mud, but a signal from its transmitter was picked up earlier today. Tracker Tally Love (ICF) apparently made visual contact during an aerial survey.

An NBC news crew did some filming today. We expect the story to be aired on NBC Nightly News at 6:30EST.

What uplifting news!

These dedicated people are so appreciative of the support they are receiving in the wake of this tragedy. Please support them if you are so inclined. Links are at the site.

[The Stranger]

17. Why keep them in the fucking enclosure when they will instinctively flee to protect themselves?

Keeping imprisoned was a death sentence for them.