Patuxent Wildlife Research Center-US Geological Survey
WCEP (Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership)
International Crane Foundation
TAGS: operation, migration, journey, north, whooping, crane
Length: 24:32
This video documents the journey of cranes flying over and making stopovers in the state of Alabama for the first time ever as ultralight airplane “parents” – flown by members of the non-profit organization Operation Migration – teach them the way.In addition to describing how the project to save these magnificent creatures from extinction began and its educational aspect, the story also details the hard work of the Operation Migration team who accompanies the cranes on their journey and the history of the whooping crane.
Length: 8:26
A behind the scenes look at a "takeoff" morning.
Length: 3:26
In this segment Bev Paulan (field supervisor for Operation Migration) and Brooke Pennypacker (ultralight pilot for Operation Migration) discuss the size, the habitat and the nesting habits of the whooping crane with a first grade class.
Length: 2:38
In this segment the Operation Migration team takes a look at the sizes of a crane as it matures from a chick to an adult bird.
Length: 1:23
In this segment we will follow the story of the whooping crane eggs as they hatch in Maryland, at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. The next stop on the young chick's journey will be Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin.
Length: 4:35
Bev and Brooke talk to the class about the activities that are involved in training the chicks.
Length: 2:18
In the 1940's there were only 15 whooping cranes in the entire world. They were on the brink of extinction. With the partnership of Operation Migration and other non-profit groups, the population now stands at over 500. In spite of the fact that they are still endangered, the future looks much brighter for them.
Length: 2:08
This segment tells about the importance of the costume in keeping the cranes wild. The concept of imprinting is also discussed.
Length: 3:37
The Operation Migration discuss how the puppet is used in the training of the cranes.
Length: 2:23
Training the cranes to fly starts early. At just a few days old they begin the process of following the robocrane and the ultralight.
Length: 1:20
The Operation Migration team discusses sibling rivalry whooping crane style with the first graders. Materials about dominant/submissive, leader/ follower and pecking order are included in the extension activities.
Length: 2:36
Brooke and Bev discuss how the birds use updrafts, thermals, vortex, and formation to make the flying easier as they migrate.
Length: 0:17
Bev discusses how the weather conditions are used to decide whether or not to fly on a particular day.
Length: 1:41
Brooke tells the class what an awesome experience it is to look out and see the cranes flying around him.
Length: 1:46
Brooke, a member of the Operation Migration team, tells about how to fly an ultralight plane and how the ultralights are coordinated during the migration.
Length: 2:04
In this segment the importance of being able to track the cranes at all times, the attaching of the tracking equipment and the procedures that are in place for locating a missing crane are discussed.
Length: 1:02
Bev, an Operation Migration team member, explains where the team members and the birds live while they are on the migration trail.
Length: 1:27
In this segment, the Operation Migration team talks about the pens that are used as a migration home for the cranes.
Length: 4:12
The crane's winter home and their winter diet is discussed in this segment.
Length: 01:39
This short segment is about classroom use of the whooping cranes material.
