Seventeen juvenile whooping cranes were killed in severe storms that swept across central Florida last week. At the time of the storm, the endangered cranes were being housed inside an enclosure at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.

The young cranes were among those trained in 2006 by Operation Migration conservationists to follow an ultralight aircraft. The training had led the birds from the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin to Florida's Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year in an effort to help revive the wild, migratory population of these magnificent birds.

The news was devastating for the devoted Operation Migration staff and supporters:

"My heart is aching both for the young birds we lost and for the dedicated people who have devoted so much of themselves to this project, only to see the lives of these cranes end in this devastating manner. These birds were the start of a new generation of life for the species, but we will recover and continue our work. Our thoughts also go out to those in central Florida who suffered personal losses as a result of these storms." ~John Christian, co-chair of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership

In the aftermath of this sad news, there was reason today for celebration. One of the young cranes missing since the storms escaped unharmed and was spotted alive and well in nearby habitat in the company of two sandhill cranes.

For those of you who would like to offer your support to Operation Migration in this difficult time, please visit their contribution page. A variety of contribution options are also described in the Operation Migration field journal.

Find out more:

• Support Operation Migration (Operation Migration)
• Operation Migration Field Journal (Operation Migration)
• Whooping Crane Spotted Alive, Expert Says (CNN)

Photo © Catcher of Light Photography / iStockphoto.