Whooping Crane Recovery Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

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iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Trent Species Status: This species was listed as endangered in 1970 and critical habitat was designated in 1978. Whooping cranes currently exist in three wild populations and at five captive locations. The December 1993 wild population is estimated at 160, including 141 individuals in the only self- sustaining population, 10 birds survived in the Rocky Mountain Population (one in captivity), and 10 captive- reared birds survive in Florida in an experiment to start a nonmigratory population. The captive population contained 101 birds. Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: Marshes, lake, ponds, and rivers provide nesting and migration habitat for the main wild population which nests in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) and adjacent areas of Canada. This population, called herein the AWP, winters in coastal marshes and estuarine habitat of Texas. Historic population declines resulted from habitat destruction, shooting, and displacement by activities of man. Recovery Objective: Downlisting by year 2020. A delisting goal is not identified at this time. The downlisting goal is a minimum of 40 nesting pairs in the AWP and a minimum of 25 pairs occurring in self- sustaining populations at each of two other discrete locations. These breeding pair levels must be attained or exceeded for 10 years before downlisting occurs. The recovery actions may result in migratory and nonmigratory populations as occurred historically in North America. Actions Needed: 1. Continue to build the AWP population to minimize the chance that a catastrophic event will eradicate this population. Protect and manage habitat of all wild populations. 2. Attain breeding pair and productivity goals at two captive facilities in the United States and one in Canada to produce the birds required for reintroductions. Continue research to improve production of captive flocks, to identify appropriate reintroduction sites and improve reintroduction techniques. 3. Establish two additional self- sustaining wild populations. 4. Maintain an information /education program. Estimated Cost of Recovery for First Decade ($000`s): Need 1 Need 2 Need 3 Need 4; T FY 1 1,105 840 461 20 =1 2,421 FY 2 1,105 840 461 20 20 2,266 FY 3 FY 4 950 945 840 840 461 461 20 2,266 FY 5 935 840 461 20 2,256 FY 6 935 840 `l'61 20 2,256 2,156 FY 7 935 740 461 20 20 2,156 FY 8 FY 9 935 935 740 690 461 461 20 2,106 FY 10 935 690 461 20 2,106 Total Cost to Oownlist: $48,120 The estimated time to achieve downlisting is year 2020. Date of Recovery: