CLAY COUNTY, Ga. —
Ten whooping cranes have made their annual stop in Georgia, with a little help. An ultralight air craft is leading the cranes along their migratory route from Wisconsin. Today they took a break in Clay County. They are on their way to Florida for the winter.
Only six to seven months old, the cranes have now traveled 979 miles and have another 306 to go. This is the 10th group of birds to take part in a landmark project led by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and private groups that is reintroducing this highly imperiled species in eastern North America.
There are now about 106 whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America thanks to their efforts. Here are some guidelines for encountering a whooping crane in the wild:
1. Please give them the respect and distance they need.
2. Do not trespass on private property to view or photograph whooping cranes.
3. Please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you.
4. Do not approach birds on foot within 200 yards.
5. Do not approach in a vehicle within 100 yards and remain in your vehicle.
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