Detroit Zoo provide Home to Rescued Sandhill Crane

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 24, 2021 12:01 am

A rescued crane has found sanctuary at the Detroit Zoo after being found with a rubber band around its beak which meant this had to be removed

Photo Credit: Amanda Carberry/ Columbus Zoo and Aquairum

Detroit Zoo have become the new home of an endangered sandhill crane which was rescued from the wild.

The crane was recently found in Commerce Township. When DZS staff went to assess it, it was found that a rubber band had become wrapped around the lower beak. This cut off blood supply to the area causing it to snap and break off.

This is another unfortunate impact of man-made pollution on wildlife.

Losing half its beak meant this crane was unable to eat and would not have survived in the wild. Detroit Zoological Society staff are now working on a prosthetic beak for the injured bird. Until this is ready it is provided a special diet which it can eat with the injury.

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Unfortunately during further examination other injuries to the crane were found. This included the discovery of buckshot in one of the bird’s legs. Extinction and habitat loss have been two of the major factors in the decline of these birds.

DZS are currently opposing a proposed recreational hunting season in Michigan which could jeopardize the continued recovery of these birds.

“From his rescue in September, he has made such a transformation. He represents an iconic, native Michigan species and we can’t wait to see him join the two other sandhill cranes here at the Zoo,” said DZS Associate Curator of Birds Bonnie Van Dam.

The rescued crane has now joined two other sandhill cranes in the American grasslands habitat. One of the cranes was rescued in 2002 with a wing issue and the other in 2015 also with wing issues.

Learn more about Sandhill Cranes here – Sandhill Crane Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Detroit Zoo on their website – Detroit Zoo