First off, according to LDWF's website, this is a 15 year project. Second, if we go by your math, they would $6 million. That means you are projecting only 3-6 birds to survive? It also states that they project needing to raise $3-4 million to fund a portion of the project. I would think conservatively, you are looking at $8 million. So by your math, that is only 4-8 birds surviving.
To date, they have done 4 releases , and this is the 3rd year of the project if I'm not mistaken. So, that means they have probably spent around $1.2 million to maybe $2 million. Currently, there are 21 adult birds and 10 juvenile birds in the population. So 31 birds, not counting the injured male. So by my math, to this point, you are probably looking at somewhere around $38k to $65k per bird at this point.
I didn't go in to all of those details because I didn't see it as pertinent to the current conversation. This thread was started in regards to the reward being offered.
I'm not saying its a good or bad use of money. Personally, I like whooping cranes. I think its a cool species, and maybe if they some how defy that 30% rate that everyone is sticking to them, maybe we can LEGALLY blast them one day. Doubt it, but who knows.
All I can say is, if you don't like it, call your congressman.
|