A pair of whooping cranes, a species of crane listed as an endangered species, have recently been shot in the southwestern area of Louisiana. The whooping cranes were building practice nests when the incident happened.
Of the two whooping cranes, the female was found dead while the male was found with severe injuries when state wildlife officials came upon the scene. The whooping crane is an endangered crane species and is known for being the tallest bird in North America. These birds mate for life and live up to 24 years in the wild. Known as one only two species of crane in North America, the whooping crane was declared as an endangered species after unregulated hunting thinned down populations to alarming numbers. Moreover, the loss of the whooping crane's habitat has also contributed to pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
While the two cranes were still too young to lay eggs, young mated whooping cranes often build nests for practice. The pair was also the only recorded cranes to form a mating bond in 2013.
"They were some of our older birds and our best chance for having a more successful nest this year," Robert Love from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries told The Associated Press. "It's just sickening."
The pair of cranes were released into the wild in 2011. While the male was from the first group that was released that year, the female belonged to another group that was released later. The surviving male has suffered severe injuries to one of its wings. While state officials expect the male crane to survive, there is some doubt as to whether the crane will ever be able to fly again in the future.
Whooping cranes are heavily monitored by state officials and they are protected by both federal and state laws due to their endangered species status. A total of 50 cranes in the wild are being monitored by officials using radio transmitters.
While a lot of effort was put into raising and monitoring these birds, only a small number of them survive in the wild. Ten whooping cranes were released in the first group back in 2011, but only one of the cranes survived.
The wildlife and fisheries officials are investigating the latest shooting and have offered $1,000 reward for information leading to whoever shot the whooping cranes.
