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'.i~-:..... . 50 The Calgary Zoo facility likely will be producing young by 1996, and along with chicks reared from eggs from the AWP, should be able to start a second migratory population in Canada late this decade (see Canadian Recovery Plan). The first priorities for use of captive-reared chicks in the next few years are for completion of stocking the Calgary Zoo facility and continuing releases in Florida. Calgary Zoo should be fully stocked by the close of 1994. Chicks from AWP wild-collected eggs will be available for use in guide bird experiments in 1993 and 1994. The Service anticipates research continuing through the 1990's on methods of introducing whooping cranes in a migratory situation. Further experimentation with the RMP will depend upon the results of the first two years of guide bird research, approval by the principal involved parties, and availability of funds and whooping cranes surplus to higher priority recovery needs. If the reintroduction in Florida is successful, other nonmigratory populations might be considered for the 21st Century. As noted, previously, this Plan describes' only the recovery actions and costs required for birds and habitat within the United States. Recovety actions to be taken in Canada are described in the Canadian Whooping Crane Recovery Plan. It is the goal of the United States recovery team that the second migratory population in Canada be discrete from the existing migratory population so they will not winter, nest, or migrate through the same areas. The CWS in 1993 began identifying historical whooping crane nesting habitat in southern Canada which might provide suitable reint~oduction sites. CWS proposes to begin in 1994 radio telemetry studies of sandhill migratio'il pathways which will help identify the migration pathways which might be taken by whooping cranes reintroduced in the potential reintroduction sites. B. Narrative Outline For Recovery Actions Addressing Threats 1. Increase the AWP. This task is directed at reducing mortality during migration and at wintering areas and removing habitat constraints which might limit population recovery. The present winter habitat has the potential to support substantially more than 40 nesting pairs and the associated subadults and young-of-the-year (pers. qomm., T. Stehn). As the population increases, the threat of extirpation due to some natural stochastic event (hurricane, disease epizootic. contaminant spill) diminishes, thereby increasing species security. Annual aerial population census on the wintering area will be reqUired as a part of management of this population. 11. Monitor movements. The spring and fall migration monitoring coordinated by Region 6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be continued. This project, headquartered at Grand Island, Nebraska', coordinates and records sighting data pertinent to identifying migration stopover habitat and reducing mortality from disease and shooting. Of particular importance is the analysis of sightings of marked cranes and identification of traditional migration use areas.