The International Crane Foundation has submitted comments to the United States Attorney who is hearing the case of the accused shooter of two Endangered Whooping Cranes killed on January 11, 2016 in Beaumont, Texas (click here to read the full statement). The accused shooter is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, January 25, 2016.
In the 1940s, there were as few as 21 Whooping Cranes left in the wild. With deep investments of time and money, Whooping Cranes have begun a slow recovery. The two cranes shot in Texas were members of the Louisiana flock which only numbers about 45 individuals. In order to deter future perpetrators from poaching, the International Crane Foundation is urging the court to prosecute the shooter vigorously.
The International Crane Foundation will be present at the arraignment and will continue to share updates as they become available.