Louisiana Sees Renewed Hope as Whooping Crane Population Grows
Louisiana, once a bustling haven for the stately whooping crane, can now officially add to that list "reintroduction success story." A program to reintroduce these magnificent birds into the state has yielded impressive results, with the recent release of four new chicks bringing the total count to 77.
These four juvenile cranes, named Gigli, Vermicelli, Fiori, and Gemelli, took their first flight into the wild in November, their young lives brimming with promise, symbolizing the revival of a species nearly lost to Louisiana. The journey from near extinction to the burgeoning population is a testament to the remarkable efforts of the Audubon Nature Institute and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. It’s been over a decade since the initial reintroduction program started, and annual releases continue to cement the state’s role in the national push to
“The addition of these young cranes is another important step in restoring a once-thriving species to the Louisiana landscape.” – Luck Leiferson, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary
Auduon Nature Institute staff and the state’s wildlife agency, playing the role of dedicated avian foster parents, diligently raised the chicks at the Westbank facility. Sourcing eggs from a migratory flock in Wisconsin, the chicks hatched and thrived, learning
"We’re making great strides," said Richard Dunn, the facility’s assistant curator. “and we’re starting to see the results of what we’re doing.”
Their partially successful debut highlights the importance of reintroduction programs like this one. While this is a significant achievement, the ultimate aim is to establish a self-sustaining whooping crane population in Louisiana, which relies on 120 wild birds and 30 breeding pairs thriving independently. These initial releases have fueled optimism for the future. Denoting a successful return. Officials at the Audubon ruffesteem.
“It’s the point of what we do," Dunn said, beaming with pride. "See the birds increase in the wild."
With each release, the dream nears reality.
