Archive
The Flock of 2002 Arrives at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
The 2002 Whooping Flock has been reared at the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (WRC) in Laurel, MD since hatching from eggs collected from captive whooping cranes at that facility, as well as from the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo, WI. The chicks were exposed to aircraft noise since prior to hatching and were raised in extreme isolation from humans.
On Wednesday, June 12, part of this second flock was transported from Patuxent WRC to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Only the seven oldest whooping cranes made the flight. This year's flock may be up to 17 young birds, but the remaining whooping cranes will be transported later this month.
After they arrived at the refuge, the chicks had a health check and then were placed in their predator-proof enclosure at the training facilities.
These young birds are now ready to begin their pre-migration flight training under the direction of pilots and handlers from project partner Operation Migration. The specialized training at the refuge will continue throughout the summer and into early autumn. To ensure the birds remain wild and do not imprint on humans, handlers and project biologists adhere to a strict no-talking rule and wear "costumes" designed to mask the human form whenever they are in the vicinity of the crane chicks.
This fall, Operation Migration pilots flying ultralight aircraft will guide these young whooping cranes on their southern migration to Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.
Biologists from ICF and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are monitoring the flock that was reintroduced last year. Those whooping cranes successfully migrated back to Wisconsin from Florida this spring.
June 12, 2002