WCEP MEDIA UPDATE

First Leg of Migration Proves Challenging

Oct. 13, Juneau County, WI - Rapidly changing weather conditions create challenges for all migratory birds. Thus it was no surprise to members of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership's migration team when challenges arose during today's flight.

The lift-off from the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin at 7:55 a.m. (Central) went beautifully but halfway into this morning's anticipated 39-minute flight winds shifted to the west, providing a challenge for the young whooping cranes and their surrogate guides; the ultralight pilots, which resulted in only seven of the 17 juvenile birds
completing the 21.6-mile leg to the first stopover in south Juneau County. Of the ten errant cranes, one returned to the training site at the refuge shortly after take-off and the remaining nine broke up into three smaller groups landing at a variety of locations.

Unstable wind conditions caused a bird to come into contact with the wing of the lead aircraft and Operation Migration pilot, Joe Duff, fearing the bird may have sustained injuries landed at the first available opportunity. Crane #10 was transported to the International Crane Foundation where it is receiving treatment from ICF veterinarian Dr. Barry Hartup.

Hartup says while the injuries do not appear to be life threatening they will require more treatment than can reasonably be provided during the migration, thus project team leaders have decided to withdraw the bird from the reintroduction. It will be several days before a decision on thisbird's future placement is made.

The remaining eight (8) birds were located by various project members using radio telemetry and have been reunited with their flock mates at Stop #1.

While today's departure flight proved challenging, the team will regroup and prepare for the next migration leg.

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Last updated: May 7, 2009