Whooping cranes mean more than people.

[Big Hutch]

What Smalls didn't tell you that this is a 20 year project. So $400K x 20 years = HOLY CRAP!! Costs keep going up.

The other thing that Smalls didn't tell you is that the Louisiana population has been labeled as an Experimental population that is UNNECESSARY for the long term survival of the species by the USFWS. Most biologists give the project less than a 30% chance for success (none will share that on the record) and after the 20 years is up then there is no current plans to continue the project. I calculated conservatively that the cost per surviving bird in the LA population would be between $1-$2 million per bird.

Robbie aka Big Hutch

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by Big Hutch

What Smalls didn't tell you that this is a 20 year project. So $400K x 20 years = HOLY CRAP!! Costs keep going up.

The other thing that Smalls didn't tell you is that the Louisiana population has been labeled as an Experimental population that is UNNECESSARY for the long term survival of the species by the USFWS. Most biologists give the project less than a 30% chance for success (none will share that on the record) and after the 20 years is up then there is no current plans to continue the project. I calculated conservatively that the cost per surviving bird in the LA population would be between $1-$2 million per bird.

Robbie aka Big Hutch

Still spreading completely false info I see

Please tell me where you derived $1-2 million per bird. The difference between 1-2 million is purty significant don't ya think (not what I would call 'calculating' more like guessing eh?). Me thinks your math is way off. I don't want you estimating for me if you are only coming within a million dollars per anything
And where in the world did you come up with these biologists that are giving a 30% chance for success? ('none that will share their name'). That's like W getting on here talking about how he heard there was a huge redfish kill behind the weirs yet the pics don't surface = no credibility

and the 20 year project? come on man all this is right there on the interwebz bro its a 15 year project


Dammit Smalls, spunt and topdwawg trolling again and we sure enough took the damn bait

[Smalls]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

Dammit Smalls, spunt and topdwawg trolling again and we sure enough took the damn bait

They can troll all the want. Sometimes I get a kick out of debating with a brick wall.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by Smalls

They can troll all the want. Sometimes I get a kick out of debating with a brick wall.

Me too

[Smalls]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

Me too

Hey, and I mean that in the nicest way possible too. At least some people can stick to their guns and don't cave to someone else's opinion.

Got a lot of strong willed brick walls around here.

[Smalls]

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.