April 10, 2002 News Flash! Florida Whoopers Heading North! The cranes forage and rest after flying to Georgia April 9, 2002. Photos WCEP, Richard Urbanek THEY DID IT! At 10 a.m. on April 9, the Florida Five were up, up and away--and in Georgia before the day was over. At 7 a.m. Eastern Time April 10, satellite data showed they were in suitable habitat in Wilcox County, GA. Their first journey north is underway! Link to Official Press Release As the news spread by phone and email, you can imagine the giddy excitement and jumping for joy! But Anne Lacey and Richard Urbanek, field biologists monitoring the cranes at Chassahowitzka, were busy. In separate vehicles, they headed north on the Interstate, guided by the radio signals from leg bands on all five cranes and satellite transmitters on two. Anne and Richard will keep pace with the migration. Their job is to keep an eye on the return path chosen by the cranes, as well as the type and location of roosting areas tha they use during their journey north. To protect the cranes' safety, the migration maps will updated when data is 24 hours old. Look for updated maps Monday, Wednesday and Friday. See the latest maps and check the cranes' progress: Whooping Crane Index Page The Next Crane Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 16, 2002. Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form