135 Whooping Crane Shootings with Emily Long – Oklahoma
In late 2021, members of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation responded to a report that would lead to a nearly two-year, multi-departmental investigation into the shooting deaths of four whooping cranes, one of the rarest and most endangered birds in North America. In this episode, Wildlife Investigations Specialist Emily Long, whose dedication and meticulous work on this case earned her the title of 2024 IWC Game Warden of the Year, details the story.
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Here’s what we discuss:
Sole full-time investigator in Oklahoma
New positions created to investigate both state and federal wildlife crimes
Jointly funded by both state and federal departments
Fewer than 600 whooping cranes left worldwide
OK closes hunting when advised by USGS that cranes are migrating
Local wardens respond to a call about an injured whooping crane
The wounded bird is rescued, but does not survive
Days later, a stationary tracking device is detected nearby
Game wardens discover the crime scene
Investigation reveals three more deceased cranes
Painstakingly searching thousands of cell tower records
Suspects are slowly eliminated
Geolocation data finally offers a break
The first confession exposes four suspects
Potentially accidental shootings lead to intentional coverup
Charges are brought under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
All four men plead guilty
A collective total of $71,000 in fines
Multiple agencies at all levels collaborated to bring the case to a successful conclusion
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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