Despite shootings, LDWF not deterred as crane project moves forward

By the time the sound of the gunshots faded, one bird lie dead in a field near Compton and Radio Tower roads just north of Jennings Feb. 7, while its critically injured mate escaped. The whole affair, by all accounts, would have gone unnoticed had it not been for one thing. The birds were endangered whooping cranes with enough radio telemetry and banding that would make the NSA proud.
Yet even with a reward that has risen from the initial $1,000 offered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Operation Game Thief to more recently $20,000 through numerous organizations that have pitched in, no arrest has been made in connection with the shootings. Moreover, the critically injured crane since has been euthanized.
Historically, dating back to 1870, estimates seem to indicate that as many as 10,000 whooping cranes graced the skies of the United States.
But as a result of mechanized farming on the prairie grasslands, human encroachment and hunting, the bird’s numbers declined where by the turn of the 20th century, only a handful remained in existence. They were placed on the endangered species list in 1967.
Today, only two migrating populations of whooping cranes remain in existence: the western population that migrates from Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas and the eastern population located on the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin that migrates to Florida. The western population is the larger and more stable of the two.
The Necedah population received notoriety back in 2001 through Operation Migration, where ultra-light aircraft escorted the reintroduced birds through planned routes to Florida. However, in spite of the migratory success, the Wisconsin population remains fragile.
The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership recently issued a 2014 report on the status of the Wisconsin population. The brief states that since the reintroduced population began nesting in 2005, less than 5 percent of the nests have produced chicks that survived to migrate.
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Biologist Brad Strobel said, “Right now we have a 100 bird population that, generally speaking, seems to be doing fairly well and are migrating and able to select habitat that seems appropriate to them. If there is a problem, it’s the population is still not reproducing here really well. So we have this sort of dark cloud. We still haven’t cracked the code as far as reproduction.”
Two non-migrating populations of whooping cranes also currently exist, one in central Florida and the other in Louisiana.
From 1993 through 2004, 289 whooping cranes were introduced near Kissimmee in central Florida. Today, it is estimated that less than 20 birds remain of this non-migratory population. And in 2004, it was determined that no further birds would be introduced to that population, as they struggled with survival and reproduction.
Since February 2011, three cohorts or groups of whooping cranes have been reintroduced at White Lake Conservation Management Area, located in Vermilion Parish, totaling 50 birds. The problem with Louisiana’s population, besides survival, is they keep getting shot.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist and Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Carrie Salyers is concerned with the impact the shootings are having on re-establishing the state’s population.
Salyers said, “With the shooting, we lost our oldest male and sole survivor of our first cohort. We have no birds alive out of the first birds we received in 2011. And to add salt to the open wound regarding the shooting, the two that were killed were a male and female. And they were the ones that last year demonstrated courtship behavior. We were hopeful this year they would be the ones who potentially would produce the first egg. Each individual obviously makes a difference when you’re dealing with so few.”
Salyers says it takes three to five years for whooping cranes to reach sexual maturity. Additionally, unlike other wading birds like egrets and herons that lay several eggs, whoopers may only lay one or two. Moreover, the species struggles to raise two chicks therefore are not necessarily strong nesters.
Establishing additional populations of whooping cranes is in the best interest of the species. Beyond disease and predation, there is the potential for natural and manmade disasters that could significantly harm established flocks.
With the Florida non-migrating population in decline, Louisiana’s population has become all the more important.
“Louisiana is becoming the focus,” said Salyers. “Florida’s non-migrating population is the most comparable project for what we’re trying to do. Unfortunately, because of their low survivorship, they no longer are going to be supplying that population with additional cranes. We’re at the forefront and the light is shining on Louisiana. So, ‘STOP SHOOTING THE BIRDS!’ Unfortunately, as frustrating as it is, this is not isolated to Louisiana. In the past four and a half years, a total of 17 birds have been shot across a multitude of states.”
Of the 50 whooping cranes reintroduced in Louisiana, five have been shot, roughly 10 percent of the population. Two juveniles were involved in the first shootings, and the second and third shootings remain under investigation.
Motive also remains a question. The LDWF isn’t releasing evidential information that could harm the case or leads that come forward, said Adam Einck, the department’s Media Relations director, in an email reply requesting what type of weapon was used in the recent shooting.
The shootings occurred the first week of February when the conservation goose season was open. Speculating, if a shotgun was used, it could have been an accident where hunters mistook the white-colored whoopers with black-tipped wings for snow geese. Fear of the repercussions — though misguided — for such an accident would no doubt keep individuals from coming forward.
Still, an identity mistake by experienced hunters of this magnitude seems unlikely as motive and would be without excuse.
By contrast, if a rifle were used, it would be an indiscriminate killing as it is illegal to take waterfowl with any other firearm other than a shotgun. And the individual or individuals involved shouldn’t be considered hunters.
Louisiana can hold its head high when it comes to re-establishing populations of endangered animals. The American alligator, the brown pelican, the bald eagle and the Louisiana black bear are all examples of success stories.
The last time whooping cranes existed in Louisiana prior to the current reintroduction was 1951.
With a little luck and perseverance, whooping cranes, too, could be added to the state’s achievements where wildlife conservation is concerned.
Salyers said, “We’re not going to be deterred from this. We’re going to keep our heads down and noses to the grindstone. I’ve been honored at this opportunity. These guys have been gone from the landscape for over 60 years. And here is our chance and our opportunity to put them back on the landscape.”
If you wish to make a comment or have an anecdote, recipe or story you wish to share, you can contact John K. Flores at 985-395-5586 or email gowiththeflo@cox.net or www.gowiththeflooutdoors.com.