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Date: 2025
Authors:
ALICIA M. WARD, International Crane Foundation
HILLARY L. THOMPSON, International Crane Foundation
ALLISYN-MARIE T. Y. GILLET, Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife
AMY J. KEARNS, Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife
ANDREW J. CAVEN, International Crane Foundation
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Citation:
Ward, A. M., H L. Thompson, A. T. Y. Gillet, A. J. Kearns, and A. J. Caven. 2025. Maximum daily dispersal distance of wintering whooping cranes at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, Indiana. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 16:195-202.
Abstract:
Whooping cranes (Grus americana) are an endangered species consisting of 4 populations, including the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP), a reintroduced experimental population that is not yet self-sustaining. The EMP breeds in Wisconsin and winters primarily in Indiana and Alabama. The International Crane Foundation and its partners release captive-reared chicks into the EMP annually to support the growth of the population. This population continues to face multiple threats throughout its flyway, including habitat loss and degradation, and collision mortalities. By analyzing global positioning system (GPS) data from whooping cranes at a primary wintering site, Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA, property) in Greene County, Indiana, we can better understand daily movement patterns and space use requirements for wintering crane populations. To estimate the maximum daily distances traveled by whooping cranes wintering at Goose Pond FWA, we used GPS transmitter data to measure the distance between each roost site and the foraging areas used on the following day. A buffer distance of 12.56 km around Goose Pond FWA included 99% of the maximum daily movements of cranes, 9.92 km included 95%, and 8.87 km included 90%. We found these distances varied by crane, demonstrating the need for further, site-specific research. The results of this study can be used to inform land management decisions and protection in the area surrounding Goose Pond FWA, aiding in the preservation and successful reintroduction of whooping cranes in the EMP.
The North American Crane Working Group provides free and open access to articles in Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop. No additional permission is required for unrestricted use, distribution, or reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work here is properly cited. Complete Proceedings are also available for download or purchase.
© 2025 North American Crane Working Group
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