International Crane Foundation / Tom Lynn

By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Ducky is dead.

The International Crane Foundation announced Monday that Ducky, an endangered female whooping crane the foundation planned to release into the wilds of Wisconsin this fall, died on Thursday after becoming infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, a strain of avian flu.

Foundation officials said in a news release that Ducky's death marks the first time the strain has killed a whooping crane.

Only about 700 wild whooping cranes are left in North America, according to the foundation. Ducky's death translates to a 1% decline in the eastern migratory population, which stands at fewer than 70 birds.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ducky," Kim Boardman, the foundatio

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