The annual whooping crane migration has reached its mid point with cranes resting in Oklahoma before reaching their wintering grounds along the Texas coast.
In light of the investigation into the recent shooting of two migrating whooping cranes in Kansas, the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public in Oklahoma and Texas to be alert to the presence of the endangered birds as they continue their winter migration.
Service Special Agent Tom McKay recommends, ?hunters, know your targets? ? "The Endangered Species Act protects such animals and any unlawful take can be costly with fines of up to $100,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail.? Perpetrators are also subject to significant state and civil criminal penalties.
Anyone with information about illegal hunting activities that impact endangered and migratory birds should report such incidents immediately to:
*Service Law Enforcement in Albuquerque ? 505-248-7889, or
in Oklahoma ? 405-715-0617
" Operation Game Thief in Oklahoma and Texas:
*Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation ? 1-800-522-8039
*Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ? 1-800-792-4263
Their size, white plumage and red facial mask easily distinguish whooping cranes. "Tom Stehn, National Whooping Crane Coordinator based at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge said, ?approximately 210 whooping cranes are expected to winter at the refuge.? "They are a remarkable bird and the species has made an incredible comeback.?
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2The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-http://southwest.fws.gov-
