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Five whooping crane chicks have hatched and fledged this summer in southwest Louisiana, marking a major milestone in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries whooping crane reintroduction project. The five chicks are the most to hatch in one year in the nascent project, which launched in 2011.
The first chicks hatched in 2016 with one chick fledging, followed by three chicks hatching in 2017, also with a single fledgling surviving.
“This year was a big step forward and we’re excited and pleased,’’ said Sara Zimorski, an LDWF biologist with the whooping crane reintroduction project. “To see young birds producing their own fertile eggs and to be successful in raising a chick is a sure sign of progress. To have five chicks this year only two years after we had the first chick hatching, it’s a pretty significant jump. We hope we’ll continue to see improvement as we have more pairs that mature and start to breed.’’
Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project began in 2011 when 10 whooping cranes from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center were released at the White Lake Wetlands Conservations Area in Vermilion Parish to develop the non-migratory flock. This marked a significant conservation milestone with the first wild whooping cranes in Louisiana since 1950. Each year since, more whooping cranes have been added to the initial flock and the current population is 66 (61 adults plus the five chicks hatched earlier this spring).
Support of partners including Chevron, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Nature Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Coypu Foundation, Entergy, Cameron LNG, International Crane Foundation and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation have allowed LDWF to expand its effort in Louisiana.
Whooping cranes are slow to mature and only lay one to two eggs during the spring. So reproduction can be a slow process. The cranes normally don’t reach sexual maturity until 3-5 years old and the cranes when introduced into Louisiana have been less than 1 year-old.
“A 3-year-old laying eggs or hatching a chick isn’t always successful the first time,’’ Zimorski said. “Sometimes it takes several years. This year, some pairs were successful the first go-around. That was great to see. Additionally, we had some younger members of pairs that were successful in raising these chicks. Of these pairs that successfully raised chicks two of the males were only 2 years old, which is on the young side. It’s really encouraging to see young birds starting to reproduce actually being successful.’’
The cranes were hatched in late April and early May. They grow fast, about an inch a day and by the time they’re three months old, they stand from 4.5 to 5 feet tall.
“The reason they grow so fast is so they can evade predators,’’ Zimorski said. “They’re vulnerable until they’ve fledged so the parents care for them and protect them. Typically, whooping crane chicks will remain with their parents for around 10 months.’’
All five chicks were hatched on private lands in southwest Louisiana, in crawfish fields. Zimorski said the cooperation of private landowners and farmers is vital to the success of the project.
“The birds really like this habitat and they’ll continue to use it,’’ Zimorski said. “So our ongoing partnership with these landowners and farmers is very important and we thank them for their support.’’
Anyone encountering a whooping crane is advised to observe the bird from a distance and to report the sighting to LDWF ( http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/webform/whooping-crane-reporting-form ). Whooping cranes are large-bodied, white birds with a red head and black facial markings. Birds measure a height of five feet and have a wingspan of seven to eight feet that makes them very distinctive. In flight, whooping cranes display black wing tips, a fully extended neck and legs which extend well beyond the tail.
Anyone witnessing suspicious activity involving whooping cranes is advised to call the LDWF’s Enforcement Division at 1-800-442-2511 or use the tip411 program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the "LADWF Tips" iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. Citizen Observer, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.

Renee Fontenot Free, a Lake Charles native, has announced she is a candidate for secretary of state in the Nov. 6 election.
Her announcement includes the following.
Free attended McNeese University and then moved to Baton Rouge to attend Southern Law School. Upon graduation, Fontenot worked for a judge and practiced law before working in the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s office from 1990 to 2004, serving as section chief beginning in 1995.
In 2004, Renee moved to the secretary of state’s office and played a key role in merging the office with the Department of Elections. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Renee was instrumental in rebuilding the election system.
Free spent the next several years as the first assistant secretary of state rebuilding the elections infrastructure. In 2008, she returned to the Attorney General’s office.
Fontenot has worked for five attorneys general, and three secretaries of state.

May 1, 1940 - August 17, 2018

On Friday, August 17, 2018 at the age of 78 Glenn passed away at Iberia General. Glenn was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, traveling, going to Cheniere Au Tigre and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grand children. He worked for the Corp. of Engineers for 30 years.
Glenn is survived by his four children Shanna S. Vaughan (Chad Vaughan), Mia S. Broussard (Dwaine Broussard), Tricia S. Reece (Shane Reece) and Anthony S. Sagrera (Lisa Sagrera); seven grandchildren Trent Winch (Amanda), Jon-Ross Winch (Troy), Brooke Winch, Tristan Suire, Bethany Barras (Nick), Tyler Broussard (Bailey) and Collin Sagrera; five great grandchildren, Drew Winch, Karli Broussard, Liam Barras, Leighton Barras, and Cole Strother; brothers Keith Sagrera, Tommy Sagrera, Sherrill Sagrera, and one sister Sandra Sagrera; along with many longtime friends.
Glenn was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Juliette F. Sagrera, his mother and father Mr. and Mrs. Anthony S. Sagrera.
Share your condolences, words of comfort or send memorial gifts to the family of Glenn S. Sagrera by visiting www.lafuneralservices.com
Mr. Sagrera and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Louisiana Funeral Services & Crematory of Broussard (337) 330-8006.