Following considerable research and planning, the group selected Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin as the first summer home for the cranes, and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida for the winter destination. Getting them from Wisconsin to Florida would be the task for WCEP member Operation Migration Inc.

Operation Migration (OM) is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1994 by Bill Lishman and Joe Duff. Lishman became the first human ever to fly alongside birds when in 1988 he coaxed Canada geese to follow his ultralight aircraft. The movie, “Fly Away Home,” is based on Lishman’s efforts.

Then, in 1993, he and Duff led the first ultralight-guided long distance migration, again with Canada geese. It was thought that if geese could be conditioned to follow ultralight aircraft, perhaps whooping cranes could, as well.

The simple answer is they can. But the process is anything but simple.

A phenomenal amount of work is needed to get the birds ready for the 1,200-mile trip from Wisconsin to Florida. The goal is to raise free-flying wild birds, not tame pets.

While still in their eggshells, captive-bred crane chicks are exposed to the engine noise of ultralight aircraft, which are called trikes. After the chicks have hatched, this helps them associate the sounds with a parental unit.

The new chicks are then tended by handlers whose human form is disguised by costumes that resemble (albeit loosely) the appearance of an adult whooping crane. The process fools the young birds into thinking that the costumed handlers and aircraft are their parents.

After a busy summer of teaching the cranes to follow the trikes into flight, the assisted migration begins in mid-October. Each leg of the trip begins in the pre-dawn hours to determine if conditions are good for flying that morning. A clear, cool sky with a gentle north push is preferred for both the trikes and the cranes. Unfavorable weather keeps the team on the ground as many days as they are in the air.