Journey to Save a Crane

Discussion Questions

Part 1
1. In the videotape, Dr. George Archibald dances with Ramsar. Why? Why does Dr. Archibald have to know so much about crane behavior?

2. Identify at least two crane behaviors, and explain their functions.

3. Why is the fertile egg so vulnerable? Why are scientists taking the egg to Siberia?

4. Why do scientists use crane puppets to feed the crane chicks.

5. Why do crane parents and chicks maintain close family ties? Why is the relationship between the chick and its parents necessary to crane survival?

6. What are some reasons why scientists want to save cranes from extinction?
Part 2
1. Why was an international conference necessary to save cranes? What was the purpose of the conference?

2. What is happening to the wetlands? How does it affect the cranes?

3. How do scientists use radio transmitters and satellites to help cranes?

4. Why was the injured white-naped crane sent to Moscow?
Part 3
1. What are some of the dangers that threaten cranes?
A.
B.
C.
D.

2. How do people who are not scientists use information about cranes to help save the cranes?
A.
B.
C.

3. How does the crane use the patch of red skin around its eye to indicate emotions?

4. What was the result of the international conference on cranes?

5. What happened to the eggs that were flown to Siberia?
Part 1 Answers to Discussion Questions
1. In the videotape, Dr. George Archibald dances with Ramsar. Why? Why does Dr. Archibald have to know so much about crane behavior?
Dr. Archibald dances to encourage Ramsar to lay an egg. He needs to know about crane behavior so he can help cranes survive.

2. Identify at least two crane behaviors, and explain their functions.
A. Tucking the head back shows pleasure and encourages males to continue the mating ritual.
B. "Location call" signals the male to come.
C. "Crouch threat" warns that the crane is about to attack, defend territory.

3. Why is the fertile egg so vulnerable? Why are scientists taking the egg to Siberia?
There are very few fertile crane eggs and very few adult cranes. If the eggs do not hatch, the chances for the species to survive are decreased. The scientists are taking the egg to Russia to try to introduce the chick into a crane family.

4. Why do scientists use crane puppets to feed the crane chicks?
They do not want the chicks to imprint on people. If they imprint on people, they will not bond with an adult crane when it is time to mate.

5. Why do crane parents and chicks maintain close family ties? Why is the relationship between the chick and its parents necessary to crane survival?
Crane chicks have to remain close to their parents for the first year so that they can learn the crane migratory route by flying it with their parents.

6. What are some reasons scientists want to save cranes from extinction?
Cranes have existed since the age of the dinosaurs. They are beautiful animals. They have behavioral patterns that have been virtually unchanged for millions of years. Studying them helps scientists understand how these behavioral patterns can be maintained for so long. People have a responsibility to ensure the survival of species that are endangered by human encroachment.
Part 2 Answers to Discussion Questions
1. Why was an international conference necessary to save cranes? What was the purpose of the conference?
The international conference was necessary because the cranes' migratory route covers seven different countries, and the cranes' breeding ground crosses three national boundaries. The conference was called to secure international cooperation in the study of the cranes' migratory patterns and to preserve their territories.

2. What is happening to the wetlands? How does it affect the cranes?
The wetlands are being decreased and polluted by the advancement of cities. As the wetlands dry up, the cranes lose their natural habitat, and their chances for survival are diminished.

3. How do scientists use radio transmitters and satellites to help cranes?
They strap the radio transmitters to the cranes' backs. Overhead satellites pick up radio waves from the transmitters for up to 100 days. This enables scientists to identify migratory patterns and the extent of the territory that needs to be preserved.

4. Why was the injured white-naped crane sent to Moscow?
The crane was sent to Moscow because it could not fly and would not survive in the wild. The Moscow crane preserve needed a male to mate with the two females it had in captivity.
Part 3 Answers to Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the dangers that threaten cranes?
A. High tension wires
B. Hunting
C. War
D. Diminished and polluted wetlands

2. How do people who are not scientists use information about cranes to help save the cranes?
A. Teachers educate people about how to save the cranes.
B. Artists and poets communicate the beauty and mystery of the crane.
C. Government officials preserve crane territory.

3. How does the crane use the patch of red skin around its eye to indicate emotions?
The crane communicates aggression and fear by changing the shape and size of the patch of red skin.

4. What was the result of the international conference on cranes?
The members of the conference produced a document to convince their
governments to create a crane sanctuary.

5. What happened to the eggs that were flown to Siberia?
Six of the eight eggs hatched. They were accepted by the wild pair of cranes, but they did not migrate with them. The experiment was only partially successful.



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