One Step Back

As if the human death toll and property damage were not costly enough, the recent Florida storm has yet another cost. 18 young Whooping Cranes died as a result of the storm, resulting in a setback for those who would establish a viable eastern flock of the endangered birds. Ironically, this was the first year in which none of the young cranes had been lost during the migration flight south.

Conservation efforts will continue, of course, but this loss is a clear reminder of how fragile the Whooping Crane population still is.