Whooping Cranes Acclimating to Chassahowitzka

Chassahowitzka, FL - The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) announced today that six of the seven whooping cranes which are part of a migratory reintroduction study are exploring the refuge and are still acclimating to the area.

It has been two weeks since the birds landed in the salt marsh, after a long migration that took 50 days to fly approximately 1,224 miles. The whooping cranes are in a soft release process where they are encouraged to roost in the protective pen at night. The pen is constructed with eight-foot high mesh fencing that is partially buried to prevent predators from digging under the fence. The mesh fence is surrounded by three rows of electric wire fencing to discourage predators from approaching the enclosure. During the day, they are free to come and go, foraging and flying around the refuge. USFWS biologist Richard Urbanek and International Crane Foundation assistant curator Marianne Wellington are monitoring the site.

Unfortunately, on December 17, crane number four was found dead approximately 40 yards outside the pen during a routine check on the birds by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist. A University of Florida veterinarian, Dr. Marilyn Spalding, determined the cause of death to be consistent with a bobcat kill. The bobcat was successfully live trapped Monday evening and relocated to reduce the danger to the remaining birds.

"Every effort has been made to provide for the safety of these birds," said Jim Kraus, Refuge Manager for the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge where the birds are located, "and while it is unfortunate we lost a bird, it does not come as a surprise. Predation has always been a possibility and is part of the natural order. It is also why we went to great lengths to provide as safe an enclosure as we could, while still allowing the birds to develop their independence and wildness."

The whooping crane reintroduction study is a cooperative effort of WCEP public and private partners and aims to re-establish a migratory flock of cranes back into the eastern North America landscape. Ultralight aircraft were used to lead juvenile cranes south from their fledging area at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin. Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge along Florida's central-west coast was chosen as a suitable winter habitat. The cranes are expected to return to Necedah on their own next spring. The ultimate goal of the project is to reintroduce enough birds to the fly-way to establish a self-sustaining flock containing at least 25 adult, breeding pairs.

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