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<br />"v,-... <br /> <br />56 <br /> <br />should be programs ensuring adequate habitat and population protection without <br />unnecessarily disrupting other compatible uses of the protected areas. Creation of <br />new habitat would help compensate for habitat losses to various causes and could <br />increase the carrying capacity of the wintering area. Saltwater marsh can be <br />created by filling open water areas to shallow depths using dredged material. <br />Lowering of some areas mechanically, to allow flooding by high tides and collection <br />of runoff, should promote devlllopment of salt or brackish marsh areas. Wetland <br />restoration may be needed in areas on the migration route where there has been <br />extensive loss of crane habitat. <br /> <br />2. Increase caDtive DODulations. <br /> <br />Until recently, the captive breeding flock has been small. The small captive population has <br />placed constraints on productivity, and may have adversely affected the potential to form <br />socially and sexually compatible pairs. As more breeding pairs become available, the size of <br />the captive flocks, the annual production of eggs and offspring will be increased for ongoing <br />reintroduction efforts and the behavioral, demographic, and genetic management of the <br />captive population will be enhanced. <br /> <br />21. DeveloD and maintain caDtive DODulations. <br /> <br />Patuxent, ICF, and Calgary Zoo should establish and maintain about 40 breeding pairs <br />of whooping cranes (at Patuxent 15, ICF 12-15, and Calgary 10) by year 2000. Birds <br />unable to reproduce could be maintained to rear the chicks of other birds, be used as <br />role models or used in education programs. Within the captive flocks, aviculturists <br />should try to: (1) obtain genetic representation of as many wild pairs as possible; (2) <br />retain in captivity those birds that are especially valuable because of their genetic <br />background; and (3) give careful attention to genetic and demographic considerations <br />to ensure health of the captive population. The studbook keeper will make periodic <br />analyses of the genetics and demographics of captive populations. Results of analyses <br />will be used to guide selection of eggs for transfer from the wild, selection of <br />individuals for pairing, pair productivity, and population demography. Frozen semen <br />banks should be maintained to proteot loss of founder lines in captive flocks. <br /> <br />22.:.Refine avicultural methods and Droductivitv. <br /> <br />The captive breeding centers should optimize the production of whooping cranes in <br />captivity through the application of proven avicultural techniques described in the Crane <br />Propagation Manual (1993 at press) and experimentation in the fields of reproductive <br />physiology, genetics, behavior, and veterinary ,science. <br /> <br />221. Refine breedino Dair manaoement. <br /> <br />Various procedures used in ,captive propagation of whooping cranes, particularly <br />behavioral and physiological management, need to be developed and/or refined to <br />maximize productivity of captive populations. Research surrogates will be used to <br />accomplish biological research and to develop techniques. Captive centers should <br />