Neb. bird watchers asked to respect whooping crane
Associated Press - April 3, 2010 9:05 AM ET
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - State officials are warning bird watchers not to approach or disturb endangered whooping cranes.
Causing the birds to flush to flight is considered harassment and a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act and state conservation law.
Whooping cranes, sandhill cranes and many other migratory birds stop in Nebraska in the spring to rest and feed on their way north to breeding grounds.
The Game and Parks Commission says a person recently disturbed a whooping crane in central Nebraska while trying to get a photo of the bird. Officials say such disturbances put the cranes at greater risk of deadly collisions with power lines or moving vehicles.
Fewer than 600 whooping cranes remain in existence.
On the Net:
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission:
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/