The International Crane Foundation (ICF) announced today that two Whooping Cranes of the Louisiana flock (which numbers about 30 birds) were shot and killed on January 10, 2016 in Hardin Co. Texas. There is one identified suspect. Read the ICF press release here.

There are only 600 endangered Whooping Cranes in the world. However, over the last five years, more than 20 Whooping Cranes have been shot and killed in the United States. The International Crane Foundation is calling on individuals “to take action and raise public awareness to prevent future shootings by joining the national campaign to protect Whooping Cranes.”

Dr. Elizabeth Smith, Texas Program Director hopes citizens use this senseless tragedy as a reason to join the national campaign to protect Whooping Cranes. Learn more about the campaign and pledge your support for Whooping Cranes here: http://www.savingcranes.org/i-give-a-whoop/

ICF Large Water Bird Identification guide

Be sure you know how to identify a Whooping Crane!