Atlanta Audubon Pledges $1,000
to Whooping Crane Reward Fund

As you may have heard, on Dec. 30, 2010, three young Whooping Cranes were found shot dead near Albany in Calhoun County, GA. These cranes were part of the reintroduction effort of the International Crane Foundation. They were not part of the flock being led by ultra-light aircraft on their first migration, but were part of a program called Direct Autumn Release in which young cranes are released into groups of other Whooping or Sandhill Cranes in order to follow those cranes on migration. The cranes found in Georgia were intentionally shot to death. Ethical hunters found the cranes on private property and alerted the authorities.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) are conducting a joint investigation to try to determine who shot the cranes and bring them to justice. Atlanta Audubon Society has pledged $1,000 to a reward fund that has been established for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of the person or persons involved. At last count the fund stood at $21,800 with a number of organizations pledging support including the DNR Foundation, International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration, T.E.R.N., the Nongame Conservation Friends group, Georgia Ornithological Society, the Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, and others. Any information on the shooting should be reported to Terry Hastings, DNR Enforcement Agent at 404.763.7959.

There are currently only 500 Whooping Cranes in the world. Conservationists have expended tremendous effort and expense to develop an eastern migratory flock to try to ensure the survival of this magnificent species. Many of these birds and their offspring will be migrating through Georgia every year so the point must be made now that people in Georgia care and will not tolerate such unconscionable actions. This is a truly painful event and a black eye on the State of Georgia, but it is also gratifying to see the outpouring of concern among a wide variety of groups and individuals.