BARABOO, Wis. (WMTV) - A whooping crane, fondly known as Ducky, died of a strain of avian flu, the Baraboo headquartered International Crane Foundation revealed Monday.

Ducky, who was part of the Foundation’s breeding and reintroduction program, died on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The International Crane Foundation said this is the first confirmed death of a whooping crane from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The agency said Ducky was supposed to be released this fall into the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, along with seven other Whooping Cranes.

Whooping Cranes are an endangered species, and the organization noted there are only 700 left in the wild throughout North America. There are fewer than 70 in the eastern migratory population, meaning the death of one bird marks over 1% of the r

See Full Page