Endangered whooping crane dies of avian flu in Wisconsin
Ducky, a female whooping crane reared by the International Crane Foundation and scheduled for release this fall, died after becoming infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Foundation officials say this is the first documented death of a whooping crane from this HPAI strain; with roughly 700 wild whooping cranes in North America and fewer than 70 in the eastern migratory population, the loss reduces the eastern group by about 1%. Staff are using PPE, isolating the cohort, and will decide whether to proceed with planned October releases of eight cranes.
Environment
Public Health
🔍 Key Facts
- Ducky, hatched in May and part of the International Crane Foundation’s reintroduction program, died of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.
- Conservation counts: about 700 wild whooping cranes remain in North America; the eastern migratory population numbers fewer than 70, and Ducky’s death represents roughly a 1% decline for that group.
- Operational impact: Ducky was among eight cranes slated for release in October; staff are wearing PPE, isolating the group, and convening to decide whether to go ahead with releases amid the HPAI detection.