In 1976, a scientist spent seven years dancing with a lonely whooping crane that refused to mate. The chick that followed helped save one of the world’s rarest birds
- In 1976, ornithologist George Archibald began an unusual daily ritual, dancing beside a whooping crane named Tex in an attempt to save one of the rarest birds on the planet.
- Tex had been raised in captivity and had imprinted on humans rather than other cranes, meaning she showed no interest in mating with her own species.
- Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, spent years mimicking crane courtship behaviour beside her enclosure, hoping to trigger the hormonal changes needed for her to lay a viable egg.
Unverified
- In 1976, ornithologist George Archibald began an unusual daily ritual, dancing beside a whooping crane named Tex in an attempt to save one of the rarest birds on the planet.
- Tex had been raised in captivity and had imprinted on humans rather than other cranes, meaning she showed no interest in mating with her own species.
- Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, spent years mimicking crane courtship behaviour beside her enclosure, hoping to trigger the hormonal changes needed for her to lay a viable egg.
Sources: Times of India