At the beginning of the 19th century, travelers reported Whooping Crane flocks composed of thousands. Since then, their numbers have decreased so rapidly that the Whooping Crane in the 40s and 50s of this century had nearly become extinct; there were only 21 animals still in existance. Like a miracle the beautiful bird survived. By 1963 there were 33 animals and today there are approximately100-200.
The accomplishment of preventive measures proved to be particularly difficult. The breeding region of cranes lies way to the north of the Great Slave Lakes in Canada, while their winter refuge is found in the Southern USA, in Texas. Twice a year the cranes fly a distance of nearly 2,500 miles. On this flight they are not only exposed to irresponsible hunters, but also to the dangers associated with civilization. Many of these birds perish due to highway traffic, fences and electric wires. In order to make a safe trip for the Whooping Cranes, the public is now informed twice a year about the flight and is asked for its cooperation.
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Endless Ocean
General FictionA deeper look into underwater life. The photos . Animal facts are non-fiction. Character surprises are fictional. Enjoy!
