PALM CITY — State wildlife officials declared the last remaining of the Florida Sandhill Crane eggs deceased.
Late last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission examined the eggs. On Monday, the one remaining egg was removed from the Cummings Library, which halted construction of an expansion project that was intended to double the libraries size, construction has now resumed.
“I spoke with our crane specialist, and he said we can be certain that the egg is dead,” said Sharyn Hood, and FWC biologist.
According to a news release from the FWC, it is likely a predator took the first egg before it could be examined.
Pam Hopkins, managing director of the Audubon Society for Martin County, said she is not sure what caused the remaining egg to die.
“The parents seem to be very good parents, and sometimes these things just happen,” Hopkins said.
The nesting cranes gained celebrity status when county officials announced on Feb. 1 that they would halt work. But Hopkins said people have been trying not to do anything that would harm the egg.
“As far as I know this has nothing to do with any disturbances,” Hopkins said. “People were very respectful so they would not disturb the nest.”
Source: TCPalm.com
