Why are we releasing whoopers in Florida?
In order to save the whooping crane, we need at least two more flocks that are independent from the original wild flock. These additional flocks will be insurance if a catastrophe, like a hurricane, tornado, or disease outbreak, wipes out the original wild flock. Scientists hope to establish a successful non-migratory flock in Florida, and another migrating flock elsewhere in the United States or southern Canada. Many people and organizations have been working together to set up release sights in central Florida where young, captive-raised whoopers can be taken and allowed to adjust to life in the wild. These birds will form the core of a whole new flock that will live in Florida year-round.
