Endangered whooping crane dies of avian flu at Wisconsin wildlife refuge

Endangered whooping crane dies of avian flu at Wisconsin wildlife refuge Updated 24 mins ago An endangered whooping crane the International Crane Foundation was planning to release into the wilds of Wisconsin this fall has died of avian flu. The Baraboo-based foundation announced Monday that the female crane, named Ducky, died on Thursday after becoming infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, a strain of avian flu. According to the foundation, only about 700 wild whooping cranes are left in North America. Ducky's death equates to a 1% decline in the eastern migratory population. Foundation officials believe a wild bird may have infected Ducky or the crane became infected through the environment. They say Ducky's death marks the first confirmed death of a whooping crane due to HPAI