Date: 9/30/25 5:52 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] News Alert: Whooping Crane Death from HPAI Confirmed in Wisconsin
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Richard Katz <katzrichard...>
Date: Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 9:18 PM
Subject: Fwd: News Alert: Whooping Crane Death from HPAI Confirmed in
Wisconsin
To: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...>
Begin forwarded message:
*From: *International Crane Foundation <info...>
*Subject: **News Alert: Whooping Crane Death from HPAI Confirmed in
Wisconsin*
*Date: *September 29, 2025 at 9:10:38 AM CDT
*To: *<katzrichard...>
*Reply-To: *<info...>
First Confirmed Death of Endangered Whooping Crane Due to Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza
We wanted to make sure members see this news as we announce it publicly
today: an Endangered Whooping Crane, lovingly named “Ducky,” died earlier
this month due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The loss marks
the first confirmed death of a Whooping Crane due to HPAI.
Ducky was part of the International Crane Foundation’s breeding and
reintroduction program and was costume-reared by the aviculture staff at
our headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Ducky was being cared for at
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge as we prepared to release her into the
wild, along with seven other Whooping Cranes in this year’s cohort.
Despite the swift emergency care provided by our specialized veterinary and
animal care teams, Ducky passed away on Thursday, Sept. 18.
It is most likely that the virus was transmitted to Ducky by a wild bird or
through the environment. While the other seven Whooping Cranes in the
cohort being held at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge for their fall
release may also have been exposed to the virus, none show symptoms at this
time and remain under careful observation.
Avian Influenza can persist in the environment for extended periods. Wild
birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans, are carriers
of the virus. They often carry the virus asymptomatically, shedding it
through feces, which can contaminate water and spread the infection.
“We are heartbroken by this loss,” said Kim Boardman, Curator of Birds.
“Each Whooping Crane is invaluable—not only to our organization, but to the
survival of the entire species.”
There are only about 700 Whooping Cranes left in the wild throughout their
native range of North America. With fewer than 70 individuals in the
Eastern Migratory Population, the death of just one bird reflects more than
1% of the reintroduced population.
Since Ducky’s death, we have raised our biosecurity protocol to the highest
level to protect our flock and our staff. We continue to monitor every
crane in our care and will adjust protocols as needed in consultation with
state and federal partners.
HPAI is a strain of the avian influenza A virus associated with high rates
of mortality in poultry and wildlife. It has severely impacted wild bird
populations worldwide. Earlier this year, several thousand Sandhill Cranes
in the Eastern Population succumbed to the virus in Indiana. It is
estimated that over 10,000 Eurasian Cranes were killed by the virus in
Hungary in the winter of 2023.
The threat from HPAI underscores the challenges of conservation in a
rapidly changing world. Though conservation efforts have helped Whooping
Crane numbers climb from the brink of extinction, they remain highly
vulnerable to disease, poaching, habitat loss, climate change, and other
threats, which make our work more urgent than ever.
“Each crane lost is a call to action for all of us,” said Boardman.
“Together, we must ensure that Whooping Cranes not only survive but thrive
for generations to come. While we grieve this loss deeply, it strengthens
our resolve to safeguard these cranes and the landscapes they depend upon.”
