Whooping cranes heading home

CHASSAHOWITZKA -- Most of the flock of endangered whooping cranes that arrived here in late January after an arduous three-month trek from Wisconsin are now headed home, but without some of their buddies. One was killed over the weekend in Georgia; another is taking an airplane.

But the fact that the majestic 5-foot-tall birds are aloft and heading to the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is considered a success after last year's calamity when the entire flock died here in a freak winter storm.

The 17 cranes left in three groups over the past week, with the final ones taking flight Saturday. One of the birds, No. 735, is being treated for muscle bruising and was flown back home. Another was found dead in Georgia, apparently the victim of a predator.

This year's flock left Wisconsin on Oct. 13 led by humans piloting an ultralight aircraft, a continuation of an innovative project begun in 2001 that aims to revive the whooping crane population by teaching young birds migration skills.

-- Barbara Behrendt, Times Staff Writer

Comments

With the crazy insurance rates, I should be following them.