Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T21:32:19.371Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Reproductive manipulation in the Whooping Crane Grus americana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

E. Kuyt
Affiliation:
Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 4.999 - 98 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3, Canada. Current address: 3810–103 B. Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6J 2X9, Canada
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Whooping Cranes Grus americana increased from 16 wild migratory birds in 1941 to about 146 birds in 1991. Management on the breeding range in Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories-Alberta, and protection of the birds along their migration route and on the winter range in Texas, are partly responsible for the population increase. The present Wood Buffalo National Park-Aransas National Wildlife Refuge flock consists of almost 50% non-breeders, mostly subadults. Further increases in the number of breeding pairs beyond the 1991 record of 33 can therefore be expected. The wild population has been a source of surplus eggs, whose removal has not adversely affected population growth. These eggs have been used to establish captive flocks, and captive-reared stock will be used to establish other populations. Attempts to establish a new migratory flock in Idaho by means of cross-fostering Whooping Crane eggs to Sandhill Cranes Grus canadensis have not been completely successful. Present plans call for the establishment of a non-migratory flock in Florida.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1996

References

Allen, R. P. (1952) The Whooping Crane. New York: National Audubon Society Research Report 3.Google Scholar
Canadian Wildlife Service (1988) Canadian Whooping Crane recovery plan. Environment Canada catalogue no. CW66–91/1988E.Google Scholar
Carpenter, J. W. and Derrickson, S. R. (1981) Whooping Crane mortality at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 1966–1981. Pp. 175179 in Lewis, J. C., ed. Proceedings 1981 Crane Workshop. Tavernier, Florida: National Audubon Society.Google Scholar
Derrickson, S. R. and Carpenter, J. W. (1981) Whooping Crane production at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1967–1981. Pp. 190198 in Lewis, J. C., ed. Proceedings 1981 Crane Workshop. Tavernier, Florida: National Audubon Society.Google Scholar
Drewien, R. C. and Bizeau, E. G. (1978) Cross-fostering Whooping Cranes to Sandhill Crane foster parents. Pp. 201222 in Temple, S. A., ed. Endangered birds: management techniques for preserving threatened species. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.Google Scholar
Drewien, R. C. and Lewis, J. C. (1983) Status and distribution of cranes in North America. Pp. 469477 in Archibald, G. W. and Pasquier, R. F., eds. Proceedings 1983 International Crane Workshop. Baraboo, Wisconsin: International Crane Foundation.Google Scholar
Erickson, R. C. (1968) A federal research program for endangered wildlife. Trans. 33 North American Wildl. and Nat. Res. Conf.: 418433.Google Scholar
Erickson, R. C. (1976) Whooping crane studies at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Pp. 166176 in Lewis, J. C., ed. Proceedings of the International Crane Workshop. Stillwater: Oklahoma State University.Google Scholar
Kuyt, E. (1987) Management and research of Whooping Cranes, 1965–1982. Pp. 365370 in Archibald, G. W. and Pasquier, R. F., eds. Proceedings 1983 International Crane Workshop. Baraboo, Wisconsin: International Crane Foundation.Google Scholar
Kuyt, E. and Goossen, J. P. (1987) Survival, age composition, sex ratio, and age at first breeding of Whooping Cranes in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada. Pp. 230244 in Lewis, J. C., ed. Proceedings 1985 Crane Workshop. Grand Island, Nebraska.Google Scholar
Novakowski, N. S. (1966) Whooping Crane population dynamics on the nesting grounds, Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories. Canadian Wildlife Service Report Series No. 1.Google Scholar
Fish, U. S. and Service, Wildlife (1986) Whooping Crane Recovery Plan. Albuquerque, New Mexico: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Google Scholar