Necropsy: Cranes drowned in storm

It is unclear if the birds struggled or how crane No. 615 escaped.

By TImes staff writer
Published February 7, 2007

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CRYSTAL RIVER - The 17 young whooping cranes killed in last week's strong storms drowned, according to preliminary necropsy results.

It was not known whether the cranes struggled against the wind and rain or simply succumbed to strong storm surge, said Joan Garland, outreach coordinator for the International Crane Foundation.

It was also not known how crane No. 615 escaped the top-netted enclosure at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Wind or surge might have opened the gate slightly, but the pen was intact when the dead cranes were found Friday afternoon, Garland said.

Reports on Tuesday placed No. 615 soaring above waterfront habitat in inland Citrus County.

"That's a good sign," Garland said. "Luckily, this crane is in an area where there are three other cranes from previous years' migrations. We're just going to treat him like a released bird."