Migratory Whooping Crane Reintroduction

2005 Adventures

In 2005, two eggs from the first two whooping crane nests in at least 100 years, never were incubated by the inexperienced, young Wisconsin whooping cranes, but the mere presence of nests (5) and even eggs, were very encouraging. The oldest wild whoopers, four 4-year-olds, and 60 others released between 2001 and 2005, together make for a total eastern migratory population of 64 wild whooping cranes.

New for 2005, in addition to the first signs of natural reproduction, are:

• Extensive use of Wisconsin wetlands including Mill Bluff State Park, and wetlands in over 17 counties in central and southern portions of the state, including the lower Wisconsin River, more than 15 State Wildlife Areas, and private property wetlands, Horicon area in addition to the core reintroduction area of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

• A comprehensive Management Plan is being developed to ensure continued success into the future. This Plan will be a useful tool for DNR and others to keep abreast of issues related to habitat quality and management, monitoring and bird management, population goals, landowner needs, conservation, ecotourism and education. Its intended use will be as a comprehensive guidance document.

• 7 pairs of potential breeding birds for next year. Even though there are seven pairs, we will be happy to have one or two successful nesting attempts in 2006. We are “on target” towards our goal of 25 breeding pair and 125 migratory whooping cranes in the eastern population by year 2020, if we continue releases into the foreseeable future.

• 4 chicks released directly into the wild for fall migration with wild cranes, called Direct Autumn Release (DAR). This experimental technique is being attempted to complement the known success of the ultralight-led release technique. If successful, both methods will continue to be used to release 20-30 birds annually for at least the next 5 years. The number of birds released is limited mostly by the ability of the captive propagation programs at USGS ( Patuxent, MD) and International Crane Foundation ( Baraboo, WI) to produce chicks.
• 19 additional whooping crane young-of-the-year have once again been guided by ultralights to Florida, in this fifth year of reintroductions.

Two exciting stories about Direct Autumn Release (DAR) birds this fall: soon after being released, they accompanied other whoopers and sandhills to wetlands at Mill Bluff State Park, venturing back and forth between Necedah and Mill Bluff wetlands. Next, taking advantage of strong Thanksgiving Day winds, these birds covered over 400 miles their very first day of southward migration. By their second day, three of the four reached Hiwassee State Wildlife Area in Tennessee, a popular crane migration stopover site.

If the new release technique proves successful, the number of DAR chicks for release next year will be increased up to as many as 10, providing a powerful boost to the reintroduction.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is leading efforts to develop a state comprehensive management plan for whooping cranes. WCEP partners hope this plan will serve as a template for management plans in other eastern states and provinces. This Plan will be a useful tool for DNR and others to keep abreast of issues related to habitat quality and management, monitoring and bird management, population goals, landowner needs, conservation, ecotourism and education. Its intended use will be as a comprehensive guidance document.