Why is the Whooping Crane Endangered? |
Humans contributed to the
decline of the whooping crane. Many
people now feel that we have a moral duty to help this magnificent bird. Whooping cranes live in
wetlands. The success of whooping crane populations depends on the
health of the wetland ecosystems. Our
natural heritage of biological diversity - all of the species of plants
and animals - is a precious resource.
Our future quality of life depends on how we take care of our
natural inheritance. |
Why is the Whooping Crane Endangered? Several factors have harmed
whooping cranes. The primary
one is the loss of habitat. Wetlands
have been drained for agriculture. Oil
and gas development and the construction of intercoastal waterways for
barge traffic are additional threats. Whooping cranes have been
hunted, both for their meat and for their feathers.
The long beautiful feathers of whooping cranes were fashionable
adornments to hats and other clothing. Humans also have robbed crane nests
of their eggs because collectors pay high prices for rare eggs. In 1937, fewer than 20 birds remained, all in a population that wintered in Texas. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in that year to protect the whooping crane and its habitat. By 1941, biologists at zoos tried to breed whooping cranes in captivity. In 1967, biologists at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center began a captive breeding program to increase numbers. Because the whooping cranes in the Texas population breed in Canada, biologists from both the U. S. and Canada have been cooperating in planning the recovery plan. |
Click here to ask questions about our chick or Patuxent's crane program. |
Hatch Day (Click on numbered links to view egg (negative numbers) and chick days).
To check on updates after day 14, go to whooper's
home.