Sandhill Crane Research

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For the last 4 years, we have been working on capturing sandhill cranes and fitting them with radio and satellite transmitters.  We are specifically interested in learning their migration route because of implications to potential Whooping Crane reintroduction in Louisiana.  The Whooping Crane Recovery Team (WCRT) is concerned that Whoopers reintroduced to Louisiana could move to Texas or elsewhere in the central flyway and introduce diseases or undesirable behaviors (as reintroduced birds are not as wild as the wild flock) to the wild flock.  We conducted the work virtually unfunded and part time the first 2 years, but Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries funded us for the winters of 2005-2006 (disrupted by Katrina/Rita aftermath) and 2006-2007.  This year we were able to transmitter 6 birds including 5 from the Central Louisiana flock (near Alexandria/Cheneyville, Louisiana) and 1 from the southwest Louisiana flock.  We will provide updated maps of the migration on this site.

Leghold snares around corn were used to capture most cranes

5/01/07 Crane # 64278; initially banded on 13 January 2007 near Hohmwood, LA.  Currently, it is located W of Rainey River, Ontario.  The blue point represents its current location. 

Paula Shannon with a captured sandhill crane.

5/01/07 Crane # 64281.  Originally banded near Alexandria, LA on Feb. 27, 2007.  The sattelite transmitter is no longer functioning properly.

Ehren Banfield with a banded sandhill crane.

05/01/07  Crane #64285.  First captured near Alexandria, LA on 2/16/07.  Now N of Hearst, Ontario. The blue dot represents its current location.

George Archibald of the International Crane Foundation pointing out sandhills to a young volunteer.

05/01/07 Crane #64283.  First captured near Alexandria, LA on 02/27/07.  Began migration on about 9 March 2007; now N of Gympsumville, Manitoba.

05/15/07 Crane #64286.  First captured near Alexandria, LA on 2/17/07.  Moved to SW Louisiana on 3/06/07; began migration on 3/18/07. Now S of Hudson Bay. 

05/15/07 Crane # 39888.  First captured 2/28/07 near Alexandria, LA.  Began migration about 3/28/07.  Currently, in east-central Ontario.