Power-line Collisions in Reintroduced Whooping Cranes (Grus americana)

Madelyn J. Sime^1,*, Hillary L. Thompson¹, Eva K. Szyszkoski², Sara E. Zimorski², Timothy A. Dellinger³, and Stephanie M. Schmidt¹

¹International Crane Foundation, E11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI 53913. ²Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area, 16105 Hwy 91, Gueydan, LA 70542. ³Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road Gainesville, FL 32601. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 23, Issue 2 (2024): 194–211

First published early online: 28 May 2024

Abstract
Grus americana (Whooping Crane) are particularly susceptible to colliding with power lines due to their wing loading, size, and flight behavior, often resulting in fatal collisions. This is the first study assessing the specific biological (sex, age, flock size), environmental (time of year, time of day), and structural (line type, line direction) circumstances associated with Whooping Crane collisions with power lines in all 4 reintroduced populations. We documented 65 instances of mortality from power lines and found that both migratory and nonmigratory reintroduced populations were at risk. In migratory populations, collisions seemed more likely to occur during migration. Significantly more males collided with power lines than females in nonmigratory populations. Both transmission and distribution lines posed threats for collisions in all populations. We documented more collisions of juvenile and sub-adult cranes than adults. This study aims to provide insight into the circumstances in which power lines pose a threat to cranes, which will inform efforts to mark power lines and guide decisions on release locations for captive-reared cranes, in hopes of ultimately reducing mortalities and improving population growth for reintroduced Whooping Cranes.

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