FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: December 27, 2002
Some Whooping Cranes Prefer to
Winter in Florida Preserve
-- Others favor the refuge lifestyle --
TALLAHASSEE -
The open waters, saltmarshes,
and inlet bays of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve left
a lasting impression on two whooping cranes who made
national headlines last year when they followed the pilot
of an ultralight aircraft on a 1,250-mile journey from
Wisconsin to Florida.
This month, two of the five
cranes who wintered last year in the Chassahowitzka
National Wildlife Refuge, opted to spend this winter in
the adjoining St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. A total
of 16 whooping cranes followed the “big bird” south this
month for another successful journey.
Working together since
1997, biologists with St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the International
Crane Foundation studied the endangered bird to determine
potential wintering locations. The Preserve’s estuary was
determined an excellent site with plentiful food sources
consisting of blue crabs and invertebrates. The Preserve
is also home to at least 40 other rare and endangered
birds, including hawks, herons, egrets, storks, and terns,
as well as dozens of threatened plants, mammals, and fish
species. Preserve biologists are hopeful that the two
whooping cranes will return each winter, bringing others
with them.
The cranes are monitored by
Preserve biologists and staff who must don bird-like
costumes to prevent the cranes from becoming accustomed to
humans and ensure the federally-endangered birds remain
wild.
The whooping crane is a
large, white-bodied bird with black legs and face
markings. It stands up to five feet in height with wing
spans of five to seven feet wide. The success of the
whooping crane’s conservation efforts depends on the
continuation of several elements: hand-raising of the
chicks, volunteer pilots for the ultralight aircrafts, and
safe, wintering habitat availability.
-30-
Press Office
