Florida Storms Too Much for 17 Whooping Cranes

(Florida’s) Citrus County dodged the bullet. But the sad loss of 17 young whooping cranes to the recent tornado-spawning storms was a major setback for the whooping cranes’ long journey to recovery.

All 17 were from the group of 18 cranes that were led south in 2006. …

The cranes begin their early life and training in Wisconsin. They are then led by ultralight aircraft on a southerly migration covering some 1,200 miles to (Florida’s) coastal salt marshes. …Once the birds make their first migratory flight, they then make future trips between Wisconsin and Florida on their own. For the past six years, Operation Migration has taught more than 90 young birds to follow ultralights for their first migration.

Our hearts are aching for the young birds that were lost. These chicks were a significant part of the start of a new generation of life for the species. We also lament the loss of a year’s work by the … dedicated people who helped to raise them from eggs and of the support so generously given by so many. …

— Citrus County Chronicle Crystal River, Fla.

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