$12,500.00 Reward.

[stu]

Here's an adventure story with a deadly twist. There are about 570 whooping cranes left in the world. A group of five recently were sent out on migration, to learn from older cranes and find suitable winter habitat in the U.S. That was, until three of the five were downed by gunshots, and discovered near Albany, Georgia. This mystery has a $12,500 reward attached to solving it.



According to The Tennessean, this was the first migration south for the five birds, who were banded and equipped with transmitters as part of the 2010 Direct Autumn Release program.



The cranes were part of a Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership effort to reintroduce whooping cranes into the eastern U.S., say officials with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who are offering the reward with partners including the Humane Society of the United States. The $12,500 is for information leading to an arrest and successful prosecution of the crane killer(s).



Of an estimated 570 whooping cranes left in the world, 400 of those are in the wild. About 100 cranes are in the eastern migratory population.



The dead cranes were shot sometime before Dec. 30, 2010. They were discovered and reported by hunters. They had last been tracked in Hamilton County, Tennessee, where they roosted on Dec. 10, 2010, with three other whooping cranes.



Whooping cranes are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and state laws. The investigation includes conservation rangers from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.



To give you an idea of how endangered these birds are: Each fall in recent years, pilots from Operation Migration, part of an international coalition of public and private groups, have lead a new generation of whooping cranes behind their ultralight aircraft to wintering grounds in Florida. The three downed birds weren't part of that ultralight effort.



whooping-cranes-ultralight-560.jpg

Photo Credit: WCEP, via bringbackthecranes.org.



But if you have information on the downed birds, see the USFWS site. You can find out more about whooping crane recovery efforts at bringbackthecranes.org.



The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America (5 feet with a 7-8 foot wingspan). The species was at the brink of extinction in the 1940s. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time the endangered birds have been shot at and killed during their recovery. More awareness can't hurt this case.

 

[bri]

This is very sad. I hope they are able to find who did this and punish them.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Not trying to be an ass, but what's so special about these birds? They are BIRDS! There are thousands of varieties and many have died off. What would be the big deal if this species died off? Did anyone ever shed a tear for the dinosaur?

 

[genefoley]

Not trying to be an ass, but what's so special about these birds? They are BIRDS! There are thousands of varieties and many have died off. What would be the big deal if this species died off? Did anyone ever shed a tear for the dinosaur?

Nothing could shed a tear after the dinosaurs were extinct. All life was obliterated.

 

[JOVE23]

Nothing could shed a tear after the dinosaurs were extinct. All life was obliterated.

Well, not ALL life but I see your point.

 

[the canadian dream]

Well Jax the act itself just goes to show how disgusting people can be. Why shoot the birds to begin with? What purpose does it serve to shoot some birds dead and do nothing with them? I see no point in the actions of those who shot the birds and they should be punished for not only breaking law but for also just being flat out giant pricks. These type of people represent uselessness more so than any bird species. Hopefully their family goes extinct. Not as if we need them, we have enough families on earth already.



As for them being a useless bird? Well I see wild life as something that is never useless. Cranes are amazing beautiful birds. I grew up around nature and wildlife and every species I came across was a unique experience. I don't hesitate to embrace a connection to nature. It's been a powerful engine in my life. I am no granola eating hippie but nature and wildlife in all forms has a way of stopping me in my tracks and helps me meditate. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. Take a piece of that away and a chance for others who may need that and who knows what the outcome is down the road. I for one would probably a blood thirsty murderer if I didn't have the uniqueness of the planets natural beauty and all it's living creatures to humble me and put me at ease. With the attitude of "who cares" in one case comes the danger of people not caring in all cases. Then what's left? I am not going to go to science or religion or anywhere else in this debate. This is simply a case of being connected to the earth and all it's creatures. Something a lot of us humans have forgot about. It's an amazing planet we shouldn't take it for granted so much and assume everything will always be okay if we let a few things die off here and there. My opinion anyways. May be too simple of an opinion on my part though.



If the birds are dieing off due to natures ways without human hands being involved then so be it that's the way it's going to be. However I highly doubt human hands are free of blood when it comes to the extinction of these birds.



I don't have anything against hunting. I do have issues with trophy hunting though and I have a huuuuge issue with hunting for pleasure of the kill which this story seems to be. I find it incredibly sad that individuals would stoop to levels like these.

 

[ytsejam]

well said TCD.

I think anyone that doesn't marvel at nature is really not looking at it.



I think too many people see it as if the earth was made just for us and we can shoot anything on it 'cause we fucking OWN it.



They are BIRDS for ****'s sake! Let them fly! Don't fucking shoot 'em!

5 feet tall, 7 to 8 foot wingspan.........

What kind of redneck jagoff **** would say "hot damn! that's a big damn bird! let's shoot it!"?



I understand and agree with hunting for food, but if you shoot a fucking bird that isn't delicious and you aren't going to eat, then **** YOU!





edit:

In full disclosure, I am partial towards birds. Spending 22 years with a wild caught parrot, I can clearly see how smart and adaptable birds are. Don't forget, with the long lifespan of parrots, we have only had 2 or 3 generations of domestication.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Before you guys get your panties in a wad, I was making a joke (hence the dinosaur reference). Some got it, some didn't. But in your arguments you guys made some pretty sweeping generalizations for sure. For all you know it was a 12 year old kid who shot the birds by mistake not some "redneck jagoff". And caring about all life and being connected to the Earth, well tell that to the millions of aborted babies.

 

[maryo]

And caring about all life and being connected to the Earth, well tell that to the millions of aborted babies.

they're horrible listeners, what with those undeveloped ears and all.

 

[jakobeast]

they're horrible listeners, what with those undeveloped ears and all.

But sweet shit, are they tasty!

 

[TSD]

Before you guys get your panties in a wad, I was making a joke (hence the dinosaur reference). Some got it, some didn't. But in your arguments you guys made some pretty sweeping generalizations for sure. For all you know it was a 12 year old kid who shot the birds by mistake not some "redneck jagoff". And caring about all life and being connected to the Earth, well tell that to the millions of aborted babies.

Because Ive seen enough episodes of "Wild Justice" to know 9 times out of 10, it is some red neck jagoff that gets caught shooting what he shouldn't be shooting.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Because Ive seen enough episodes of "Wild Justice" to know 9 times out of 10, it is some red neck jagoff that gets caught shooting what he shouldn't be shooting.

Don't know that show, but you think maybe it has producers? Anyway, I'll not lose any sleep over it because you contradict almost every single thing I say on the boards. If I said the sky was blue you would somehow find a reason to say it wasn't really blue and that it just looked that way because of reflected light.

 

[the canadian dream]

You are right Jax. Wasn't right to assume that those who shot the Cranes were "adults". You are right, bad on us and myself for assuming that. Either way those who shot the Cranes have a mentality of a child.



But yes I will put my assumptions on the back burner regarding the criminals being adults until those who did the crime are found. Not anywhere in my post did I say they were rednecks or hicks though. I called them giant pricks. They still are even if they are children. Screw kids. I am tired of them getting off by using that excuse. Even if it were children they must be getting the message somewhere that it is okay to just go out and shoot random animals for fun. Yes/No? I think so. Guess that's a debatable topic btw parents, children, children psychology, and CNN.



Nothing I said was a direct hit on you and yes I probably missed the humor.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

You are right Jax. Wasn't right to assume that those who shot the Cranes were "adults". You are right, bad on us and myself for assuming that. Either way those who shot the Cranes have a mentality of a child.



But yes I will put my assumptions on the back burner regarding the criminals being adults until those who did the crime are found. Not anywhere in my post did I say they were rednecks or hicks though. I called them giant pricks. They still are even if they are children. Screw kids. I am tired of them getting off by using that excuse. Even if it were children they must be getting the message somewhere that it is okay to just go out and shoot random animals for fun. Yes/No? I think so. Guess that's a debatable topic btw parents, children, children psychology, and CNN.



Nothing I said was a direct hit on you and yes I probably missed the humor.

Nah, it was ytsejam who pulled out the redneck statement, I was lumping both responses together. But more to my point, some people aren't neccessarily criminals, they might just be stupid. I have never hunted, so I couldn't tell you the difference between what bird is protected or endangered or what bird isn't. I fall in the ignorant category where that is concerned so I just choose not to shoot animals. However, hunters and hunting associations like Ducks Unlimited are some of the staunches supporters of environment and protecting wetlands.

 

[bri]

Not trying to be an ass, but what's so special about these birds? They are BIRDS! There are thousands of varieties and many have died off. What would be the big deal if this species died off? Did anyone ever shed a tear for the dinosaur?

As a former TriCERAtops, I did.

 

[Bringmepie]

Nah, it was ytsejam who pulled out the redneck statement, I was lumping both responses together. But more to my point, some people aren't neccessarily criminals, they might just be stupid. I have never hunted, so I couldn't tell you the difference between what bird is protected or endangered or what bird isn't. I fall in the ignorant category where that is concerned so I just choose not to shoot animals. However, hunters and hunting associations like Ducks Unlimited are some of the staunches supporters of environment and protecting wetlands.

Thanks for the clarification Jax, for a minute there I was pondering that it might be well within established redneck societal norms to allow their 12 year old(s) to roam the countryside indiscriminately shooting at things with guns while unsupervised. Instead that might not be asshole redneck parenting, just stoopid redneck parenting in general, but hey, why make this a class thing anyway?

 

[winos5]

For the record all of the recreational hunters/fisherman I know are responsible and care more about conservation than the average joe.

 

[sth]

I think this is horrible.

 

[sth]

Not that I don't think Rednecks should be conserved too.

 

[stu]

Since my first post another Crane was found shot and now another.....I am beyond pissed!





Date: February 18, 2011 - Entry 2 Reporter: Heather Ray

Subject: SECOND JUVENILE WHOOPING CRANE FOUND DEAD IN ALABAMA Location: Main Office



Reward in Alabama Whooping Crane Deaths now at $23,250



Federal investigators have discovered the remains of a second whooping crane at Weiss Lake on the Alabama-Georgia border.



The second crane, identified as #22-10, a crane released last year in Wisconsin in the company of other older cranes, was found less than a quarter-mile from whooping crane #12-04.



Investigators believe #12-04 was shot sometime before January 28, and consider the deaths linked. Laboratory results are still pending.



A hefty reward now stands at $23,250, a combined total contributed by 18 non-governmental organizations, federal agencies, and private individuals for additional information on the deaths of the two whooping cranes leading to successful prosecution of the perpetrator(s).



“We hope this reward may help generate leads from anyone who may know about these deaths,” said Jim Gale, Special Agent in Charge of Law Enforcement in the Service’s Southeast Region. “We are working hard to bring the offender or offenders to justice and greatly appreciate any assistance the public can offer.”



To provide information, call Special Agent John Rawls at 334-285-9600, or e-mail him at john_rawls@fws.gov.



Contributors include: The Southern Company and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Power of Flight Partnership, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Humane Society, The Turner Foundation (through the International Crane Foundation), Georgia Ornithological Society, The Georgia Conservancy, Whooping Crane Conservation Association, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Association, Birmingham Audubon Society, Steve Sykes (private citizen donation), Sara Simmons (private citizen donation), International Crane Foundation, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Fla.) Lowry Park Zoo (Tampa, Fla.), Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, Scotland Neck, N.C., Audubon Nature Institute Species Survival Center, New Orleans, and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (M.D.).



Details on the route of Whooping crane 22-10: Whooping crane #22-10 left Necedah National Wildlife Refuge on the fall migration with Direct Autumn Release juveniles #25-10 and #27-10 on November 20, 2010. At some point while flying, they met up with adult pair #13-03 and #18-03 (who trackers had seen beginning the migration alone earlier in the day). They flew slightly southwest and landed along the Mississippi River where they were found the next morning in Jackson County, Iowa, at the Green Island Wildlife Management Area. The five Whooping Cranes remained there until continuing migration on November 23.



The juveniles followed the adult pair to Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Greene County, Indiana, and they remained here until the three juveniles split off from the adults and continued traveling south on December 13 to Jackson County, Tennessee. They quickly moved on from that location and reached Weiss Lake, Cherokee County, Alabama, by the night of December 15. They were found with adult whooping cranes #11-02, #30-08, #37-09 and fellow Direct Autumn Release juvenile #19-10 on the December 18.



The seven birds remained at Weiss Lake and were shortly joined by another adult pair, #12-04 and #27-05, who had moved south from the Hiwassee Refuge in Tennessee.



Whooping crane #22-10 went missing around the same time that #12-04 was killed. The remaining birds all left the area.



Whooping crane #27-05 returned to the Hiwassee Refuge by February 4, after the death of her mate #12-04, while the other six moved into north central Alabama by February 4.