July 14, 2002

Night pens have top netting and electric fence wiring around the base.
Photo
WCEP

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Wolf at Necedah NWR
Photo
OM

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Wolves and Other Dangers

 

A wolf and her pups have been spotted near the site one training area, which makes everyone a bit nervous. The crew is taking extra precautions to keep the crane enclosures safe from potential predators. Of course, the wolf and her pups have a right to call Necedah home; it was established in 1939 as a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife. The crew guesses that the pack will move on and away from the den area as the pups get older and roam wider.

Like whooping cranes, gray wolves once lived over a much wider range. Like whooping cranes, they were nearly wiped out by hunters and habitat loss. As with whooping cranes, a recovery plan was adopted and they began making a comeback. But the recovery of whooping cranes has been slower, and unlike wolves, they are still highly endangered.

 


Try This! Listening and Journaling

Jennifer Talks About Predators
Link to Audio Clip

  • Jennifer Rabuck, who was a ranger at Necedah in 2001, tells you all about lurking dangers in the audio clip above. Read the following questions, then listen carefully to Jennifer. Record your answers in your journals.

1. What are 7 Wisconsin predators that could prey upon the whooping cranes?
2. What are 2 ways the team tries to keep cranes safer from predators?
3. What are the 3 main predators for the whoopers when they get to Florida?
4. How are the cranes' night pens different from the day pens?


Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).