Rare whooping crane rescued in Wilmette has returned to Wisconsin

Wilmette, Illinois— One of North America’s rarest birds made an unexpected stop in Wilmette this week.

A nearly one-year-old whooping crane migrating north to Wisconsin for the first time lost track of four of its companions and suddenly found itself wandering through a north suburban neighborhood Tuesday morning.

Fortunately, a local birder spotted the whooping crane and alerted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The whooping crane, named Animal, also known as 16-23, was raised by the International Crane Foundation and released into the wild last year as part of a project to reintroduce more endangered species into the wild . “Animal” is part of a small group of whooping cranes that migrate between Wisconsin and Florida.

“It’s not unusual to see them migrating in the Chicago area, but to see them in someone’s yard in a Chicago suburb is weird,” said Anne Lacey, director of the International Crane Foundation’s Eastern Flyway Program. “

Lacey immediately sent the foundation’s whooping crane program manager Hillary Thompson and program researcher Alicia Wardon to drive three hours to rescue the bird, while neighbors in the state Along with Brad Semel of the Department of Natural Resources, who has been monitoring and trying to ensure the safety of the whooping cranes.

“We can’t have people walking their dogs or doing lawn maintenance on the street because that might scare the birds,” Lacey said.

When they arrived, Thompson donned a “crane costume” — similar to a white hazmat suit — and placed a puppet crane in the sleeves to give the whooping crane something recognizable.

“They were raised by people wearing costumes … to hide their human form so they wouldn’t leave an imprint on people,” Lacey said. “They used puppets to pick up food.”

Thompson carried a bag of green grapes, picked them up with the puppet bird, and stood around “very calmly” until the whooping crane recognized the suit.

“She recognized it and she was lost and hungry and thirsty and under duress she said okay, I don’t know who you are but I recognize you and I think you can help me,” Lacey said .

As Thompson slowly fed the whooping crane some grapes, she sidled closer and “very carefully” put her arms around the whooping crane to secure its wings. She then reached down and picked the bird up, holding it in her arms while Ward placed a hood over the bird’s head to keep her calm and less likely to beat.

The whooping crane was immediately evaluated by veterinarians and appeared to be in good health.

“She might be a little dehydrated, but other than that she’s doing fine,” Lacey said.

All in all, the rescue was completed about 10 minutes after the crane foundation arrived. From there, the bird was driven to the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Mayville, Wisconsin, where it was released just before sunset.

“We are grateful to local residents and the Chicago birding community for notifying the foundation of this bird’s location,” the International Crane Foundation wrote in a post on Instagram. “It takes a village.”

Lacey said there are about 75 whooping cranes in the eastern migratory population raised in Wisconsin. It is estimated that there are only 831 whooping cranes left in the world.

“This is just a blip in a 20-year project to create a sustainable population of whooping cranes,” Lacey said. It seemed as if “we could… just waltz in.” Same thing, put her in the car and bring her back, but it’s a lot more complicated.”

She praised the Crane Foundation’s outreach program for allowing Chicago-area birders to quickly identify whooping cranes roaming nearby and notify the foundation.

“It was that awareness that allowed us to go in, put on our costumes, lift the crane and get her back to Wisconsin,” Lacey said.

The American Bird Conservancy says the population of whooping cranes will reach 650 by 2022, making them the second rarest bird in North America after the California condor.

When adults, whooping cranes are nearly 5 feet tall, have a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet, and weigh 13 to 17 pounds.

Source: Sun-Times Media Wire – Copyright Chicago Sun-Times 2024)