During 2011, the Aransas-Wood Buffalo (AWBP) Whooping Crane population rebounded from the 263 individuals recorded in the spring of 2010 to 279 from the spring, 2011. Approximately 37 chicks fledged from a record 75 nests in August 2011.
Twelve Whooping Crane juveniles were captured and fitted with transmitters in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) in August 2011; the total number of birds with radio transmitters is now 23. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with partners including The Crane Trust, Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and others visited migration stopover sites to gather habitat use data. Since the 1950s, 525 AWBP Whooping Cranes have died with only 50 carcasses recovered. Cause of death was determined in only 38 instances.
Ten captive-raised Whooping Cranes were released in February 2011 at White Lake, Louisiana. Historically a non-migratory flock resided there until the 1950s. Seven released birds were spotted after the first 7 months of the project.
Reintroduced flock reproduction successes in 2011 was troublesome. No chicks fledged in Florida nor in Wisconsin. Crane behavior during incubation in Florida and nest abandonment in Wisconsin is the focus of current research. Wisconsin research data indicates that swarms of black flies may be a key factor in nest abandonment.
However, Whooping Crane flocks in captivity were reported as having good production in 2011. Approximately 17 chicks were raised for the Louisiana non-migratory flock while 18 chicks were added to the Wisconsin flock (10 for the ultralight project at White River marshes, and 8 for an autumn release at Horicon NWR). Approximately four chicks of high genetic diversity were kept in the captive flock population.
Including the juvenile cranes scheduled for fall reintroduction, flock sizes are estimated at 278 birds for the AWBP, 115 for the Wisconsin/Florida flock, 20 non-migratory birds already in Florida, 24 cranes in Louisiana, and 162 Whooping Cranes in captivity. The current Whooping Crane population is 599 birds.
Comments