Whooping Crane Migration To Resume After Being Grounded

01/12/2012

Whooping Cranes Follow Pilot & Plane Outfitted With Bird Costume

The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A) has agreed to allow pilots flying ultralight craft to finish a trip on which they are guiding whooping cranes from Michigan to their winter nesting grounds in Florida. The beautiful birds were grounded in Alabama with 550 miles left to go after someone complained that the "sport pilot aircraft" pilots were “for hire” and that the flight was therefore considered commercial. As a result, the flock of whooping cranes were grounded for nearly a month, as was their mechanically-winged leader, who is a pilot with a plane outfitted to look like the endangered bird. (How freakin' cute is that!!!?)

However, Since the operation was considered to be in ‘mid-migration,’ the F.A.A. is granting a one-time exemption so the migration can be completed. According to USA TODAY, “The F.A.A. will work with Operation Migration to develop a more comprehensive, long-term solution.”

The flock of whooping cranes will now continue its journey south for the winter. Joe Duff, co-founder and CEO of Operation Migration, the group leading the crane effort, told USA TODAY that its pilots are full-time employees who get compensated for working with the birds seven days a week -- working on many different job responsibilities -- and that the flying is done on a volunteer basis.

What is Operation Migration?

Operation Migration is an organization that assists whooping cranes hatched in captivity, from their first steps through their first migratory trip south. To help the whooping cranes become true wild animals when they start to live on their own, the organization practices "isolation rearing," in which all people who come into contact with the birds must wear a costume that looks like a whooping crane (Awww, adorbs!)

Learn more about this amazing program at OperationMigration.org.

Photo source: Operation Migration/The Tennessean