Once Whooping Cranes (grus americana) were on the brink of extinction, thought by some to be lost. Like passenger pigeons, like the dodo. Then in 1941 a man bought some isolated Texas land along San Antonio Bay in the Gulf of Mexico, so the story goes. And as he was riding his marshy quiet land populated by alligators, white-tailed deer, and crab, he saw something tall and white. Perhaps he thought they were Sandhill Cranes, a species not uncommon in that region, until realizing that these birds were truly snow-white, and almost five feet tall. (Whooping Cranes are the tallest birds in North America.) If one had trumpeted
the haunting call that gives the species its name, perhaps he would have known instantly.
Because that man had discovered fifteen or sixteen very much non-extinct Whooping Cranes on his land. These were all that remained of their kind.
Since then, scientists from the U.S. and Canada have worked diligently to keep the cranes alive and to keep their numbers growing. A national wildlife refuge was created in the area to give the birds a home. Some experiments have been promising, such as the slow work of starting a separate flock in another part of the country. Some experiments have not, such as having Sandhill Cranes foster the whoopers. The species is still severely endangered. As of last year, there were about 237 in the original Aransas flock.
Now, however, the birds face another threat. Seadrift Ranch Partners Ltd. of Austin wants to build a luxury home development in the flats next to the birds' territory. In a place where the birds often go to eat, in fact. This would-be development is adjacent to the refuge, and to the birds' territory. The birds must often spread out to find food depending on water conditions. (And because of growing conflicts in the region over water, it's likely the cranes will continue to need all the room they can get.)
Seadrift Ranch Partners wants to dredge two marinas, inland canals, and three channels giving access to San Antonio Bay from this luxury home development. According to the Victoria Advocate, Bill Ball, Seadrift's managing general partner, says "I'll never be a guy who would hurt a whooping crane," and claims that the project will actually improve the wetlands. However, the fact remains that part of the cranes' feeding and watering ground would be gone. Add to that fact that the endangered birds are shy, disliking human contact, noise, or other fuss--all of which would be present on an ongoing basis--and this project is likely to be bad for the whoopers indeed.
Please sign this petition against the luxury home development so close to the critical habitat of the last flock of wild Whooping Cranes in the world.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston is taking comments about this project until August 17. If you prefer, comments can be sent to Felicity Dodson, U.S.A.C.E., P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553 or phoned to Ms. Dodson at 409-766-3105. This petition will be given to Ms. Dodson. Help tell the Corps of Engineers what a very bad idea this development is.
Here's the gentle call Whooping Cranes make to their chicks.