An injured greater sandhill crane is recovering at Tucson Wildlife Center after surgery to repair two broken bones in its right wing. Spotted in mid January, the crane evaded capture until the recent Wings Over Wilcox Birding and Nature Festival when it was kept at bay by a German short-haired pointer allowing Arizona Game and Gish personnel to wade in and rescue her.
Cranes use wetland areas to rest and avoid predators after feeding in area cornfields as they overwinter in Arizona. They journey north by the end of March to breeding grounds in Nebraska, Canada, Alaska, and some as far away as Siberia.
Although her condition remains guarded due to the age of the fractures on intake, she is active and eating well, good signs that nurture, nature and time may be on her side.
