Update on Review of Unusual Mortality Event

March 15, 2007

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership’s Project Direction Team has undertaken a comprehensive review of the events leading up to the loss of 17 whooping cranes at the Chassahowitzka NWR pen site on February 1 as the result of the severe overnight storms that swept through the area.

All facts surrounding the mortality, including weather reports; tidal information; lightning strike data; necropsy results; and firsthand site reports from personnel, have been compiled for the team’s review. Two half-day telephone conference call meetings have been held thus far, in which all available data was assessed and evaluated with a view to producing recommendations for any necessary changes to protocols, procedures, facilities, or pen location that might minimize risk of future losses due to extreme storm events.

The review and recommendation development process continues. Once concluded, the Project Direction Team will produce a summary report, including any resulting proposed changes. The summary report will be released to the public via a posting to the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership’s website at http://www.bringbackthecranes.org/.

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