His “name” was 1018 because of the band he wore on his leg. This 25-year-old Whooping Crane had been living in Osceola County for more than 20 years, but it was a pretty tough life.
He was brought to Florida at an early age as part of an attempt to introduce a group of endangered Whooping Cranes. The cranes used to number in the tens of thousands and included Florida in their range, but only 800 or so exist in the world now. The attempt to build back their population in Florida was a valiant effort, but one that was ultimately doomed. Most of the big 5-foot birds were quickly killed – by bobcats or striking power lines – not long after being released. By early 2025, 1018 was one of only five Whooping Cranes left in Florida
Crane 1018 survived and even had a mate, but she died following an alligator attack. He then tried to breed with his daughter – but that didn’t work out. He spent his final days in Central Florida on a plot of land near St. Cloud that was the site of a fast-rising subdivision. He got too used to people — as I found out. He flew right over a canal and landed just a few feet in front of me during one of the three times I saw him. He seemed to be looking for a handout – so homeowners might have been feeding him. He hung out with a group of Sandhill Cranes there, but never really fit it.
Worried that he might get hit by a car or attacked by a dog, the state decided in early March 2025 to capture 1018, fly him to Louisiana and place him in a group of 70-plus Whooping Cranes there. He would get to spend his final years with birds of feather and maybe help even help create a few more Whooping Cranes.
I’m glad for the time I got to spend with and photograph this special bird.
