Saving the Whooping Crane by: Luis Martin
Whooping Crane [1]
Figure 1.1
The Whooping Crane is a North American bird that has fought for its existence for over half a century. At about 5 feet in height and an approximate weight of 15 pounds, the Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America. The bird’s beauty lies is in its long slender legs and its white plumage. The color of the feathers ranges from white to brown depending on the age of the bird.
Figure 1.2 [4]
The Whooping Crane has an appetite for eating many things. At the top of the list are frogs, crabs, crayfish and other aquatic life as is evident in Figure 1.2. The Whooping Crane’s most essential and favorite prey are the blue crabs which not only serve as a good source of protein, but also are important for the crane to have a successful nesting season. According to a study published by Journey North, the Whooping Crane population has seen itself affected due to the scarcity of the blue crab. Moreover, although this has shown to be an effect to the population of the bird, it is by far minimal to other factors that have triggered this species to become endangered
Geographic and Population Changes [1] [5] [6]
Due to a low susceptibility to predators, the whooping crane only lays about two eggs at time. These two eggs have a high rate of survival and are laid in pairs in order to ensure that at least one egg survives in a worst case scenario. These birds begin laying eggs as early as 3 years old during the spring time. From the moment they are hatched, it usually takes about a month for the eggs to hatch. Furthermore, within 80 to 100 days, the bird learns to fly and begin to migrate on a yearly basis.
Whooping Cranes use a number of different types of habitats during migration. Many families used heavily vegetated wetlands while non-families used croplands. Cranes usually used shallow, seasonally flooded wetlands for roosting and various cropland and emergent wetlands for feeding. Whooping cranes also use river habitats to feed during migration.
Figure 2.1 [6]
The Whooping Crane is not one that can be identified by its traveling pattern’s. It may, in pairs, families, flocks or even alone. The North American bird’s population is concentrated throughout the Midwest. This include states such as Iowa Minnesota Illinois, and North Dakota as is evident through Figure 2.1. When Autumn arrives, the Whooping Crane migrates south to its wintering grounds. Due to its sporadic migration methods, it is difficult to identify exact locations where the birds will actually migrate to. They make frequent stops at various locations to feed and rest and have no particular destination to head to. However, it can be inferred that the bird stays within the Midwest area of the United states and will migrate to a location with ample feeding grounds.
Listing Date and Type of Listing [4]
Figure 3.1 [4]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Whooping Crane as an endangered species on 03/11/1967.
Main threats [7]
Ironically, Predators of the Whooping Crane are not too widespread or of concern. The Whooping Crane only becomes prey to other animals such as black bears, wolves and red foxes etc. when it is weakened by disease or injury. Moreover, it is human action that has posed the greatest impact on the growth of this species
Figure 4.1 [1]
The growth of human population and the need for expansion in North America has had a significant effect on the Whooping Cranes habitat. Habitat alteration and destruction caused by humans has had a negative effect on the Cranes. The crane’s winter grounds are affected mostly by human construction.
In addition, humans have redirected freshwater inflows for agriculture and human use. Whooping cranes use this freshwater near coastal waters for drinking and food production.Whooping cranes primarily eat blue crab while migration. The lack of freshwater significantly increases the salinity of the water thus decreasing the quantity of blue crabs. This limits the food and water availability necessary to survive and migrate.
Figure 4.2
Furthermore, the primary reason for the Whooping Crane’s decline is due to hunting as is seen in Figure 4.2. The majority of cranes are shot down by humans during migration. The killing of whooping cranes drastically decreased following the enactment that criminalized whooping crane hunting. Despite the legislation protecting Whooping Cranes, there is still illegal poaching of this endangered animal.
Recovery Plan [4]
The Recovery Plan for the Whooping Crane was Revised and Approved 05/29/2007. In essence, the plan for whooping cranes includes maintaining a minimum number of reproducing pairs while caring for the crane’s habitat. The primary objective is to maintain 40 productive pairs for 10 consecutive years. The long-term goal is to have 1000 whooping cranes by the year 2035.
The priorities are as follows:
1. Increase the Whooping Crane population
2. Develop and maintain captive populations
3. Establish two additional wild populations
4. Determine and maintain genetic variability
5. Expand education programs
Another objective is to keep a captive population to prevent the population from going entirely extinct. The goal is to have 45 productive breeding pairs under supervision in North America. Furthermore, the plan aims to establish self-sustaining wildlife populations and continue searching for effective techniques to reintroduce species. Scientists will also continue to monitor genetics and prevent genetic bottlenecks.
In order to prevent hunters from and other individuals from hurting these animals, it is necessary to not only sanction those who break the law, but also educate them and guide them towards developing a greater understanding. Educating the general public will enable them to distinguish Whooping Cranes from other similar animals such as the sand hill crane
Habitat destruction is one of the leading factors in the decline of crane populations. The plan intends on examining the food and water requirements of the nesting, migration and winter grounds. Through maintenance and monitoring, it will be possible to ensure long term protection of the populations habitat.
This Recovery Plan has proven to be effective as the Whooping Crane population has increased. Due to the fact that this effort consists of a slow process, the main priority of the plan is to prevent extinction and avoid a situation where there is a large decline in the population. The next priority is preventing further habitat degradation and ensure that the population has habitat to live on. In being successful, the outcome of the plan would yield a full recovery of the species
What can you do?
There are many different approaches that can be taken to aid the Whooping Crane. For those individuals that are local to the Whooping Crane, putting into action the priorities of the recovery plan would be the most effective way of aiding. Moreover, for those individuals that are outside of the boundaries of the Whooping Crane’s habitat, there are other methods to help!
Below are just a few suggestions:
1. Report Any Whooping Cranes You See to wild life research centers
2. Speak out by send out letters to congressional representatives regarding your
concerns
3. Share the news and inform others around you
4. Find out ways to get hands on involvement
Other Resources
For more info log onto:
Figure 5.1 [2]
Figure 5.2 [7]
Works Cited
1. Chakravarty, Rohan. "Green Humour." November 2012. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
2. @nwf. "National Wildlife Federation." Home - National Wildlife Federation. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
3. @nwf. "Whooping Crane - National Wildlife Federation." National Wildlife Federation. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
4. Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Recovery Plans Search." Endangered Species | Species | Recovery Plans Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
5. Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Species Profile for Whooping Crane (Grus Americana)." Species Profile for Whooping Crane (Grus Americana). N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
6. "Whooping Crane." , Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
7. "Whooping Cranes." Whooping Cranes. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
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