In 2009, 23 Whooping Cranes (nearly 10% of the world’s population) died when prolonged drought and upstream water use drastically limited fresh water along the coast of Texas. Today, Jim Blackburn, the attorney fighting on behalf of the Whooping Cranes, shared this touching original poem with our team. Now we share it with you and wish you a very happy Earth Day!
This article is reproduced with permission from the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.
Each year in mid-April, more than 2,000 volunteers travel to their local wetlands and favorite birding locations to participate in the Annual Midwest Crane Count. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Crane Count, Wisconsin Wetlands Association member Karen Voss tracked down the history of the count’s inception. Click here for more information about the Crane Count.
Among the many interesting activities I was involved in during my experience with ICF, traveling to Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to examine a Direct Autumn Release (DAR) Whooping Crane chick was a highlight.
Team members Dave Brandt, U.S. Geological Survey; Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory; Barry Hartup, International Crane Foundation; Mark Bidwell, Canadian Wildlife Service; Lucy Patterson, Parks Canada. Helicopter: Eurocopter As350-B2 AStar from Wood Buffalo Helicopters.
In early August, International Crane Foundation veterinarian Dr. Barry Hartup participated in his third annual research trip to western Canada to band wild Whooping Crane chicks on their remote summering area at Wood Buffalo National Park.
