Leg Brace

September 19: This is #4-14 (also known as "Peanut") with his new hinged leg brace. His injured leg has not healed as quickly as hoped and was re-injured a week ago as he played on the runway during an exercise session. Today he went to see Dr. Barry Hartup at the International Crane Foundation. After being boxed, splinted and boxed again, he wasn't even mad at the handlers. (These birds can and do hold a grudge after being handled.) Colleen was Thrilled when he came over and wanted to pick on her puppet as she crouched to study the new leg brace during afternoon roost check. "We beat up a few blades of grass together then took turns pounding a clod into the mud," she said. "He won. With some luck we will see Peanut flying with his girls in a few weeks."

Image: Operation Migration