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Operation Migration – Partners in Sea Turtle Conservation?
Source: Joe Duff and Bill Lishman
Photos: Operation Migration (1-6); Douglas Hykle (7-8)
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 For more than a decade Operation Migration's pilots have flown ultralight aircraft in pursuit of a lofty goal. We are striving to safeguard and reintroduce an endangered species to eastern North America: the majestic Whooping crane.
In the 1940's, as a result of habitat destruction and over-hunting, Whooping Cranes were on the verge of extinction. Just 15 birds remained in the wild. Protected under the 1973 US Endangered Species Act, this naturally-occurring western population of migrating Whooping cranes has grown to over 200 birds.
However, as migration is a learned process passed on from one generation to the next, when the last Whooping crane vanished from eastern North America, their once-traditional migration route was lost forever. Or was it?
Each year since 2001, Operation Migration's (OM) ultralight pilots have led a cohort of captive-hatched and reared Whooping cranes along a primeval migration route between central Wisconsin and the Gulf coast of Florida. Hailed as "The wildlife equivalent of putting a man on the moon", this landmark re-introduction effort is literally safeguarding the Whooping crane from extinction.
How is it done?
 .jpg) Using captive-hatched birds, OM rears and trains Whooping crane chicks to accept and follow its specially-modified ultralight aircraft, the birds' surrogate parent.
They are given daily exercise to build their strength and loyalty to the aircraft. By early October the cranes have sufficient stamina and endurance to be led on their migration south.
Each year's young cohort of Whooping cranes is led across a seven-state flyway ending in central Florida. The 1,900 km journey is punctuated by frequent stopovers at pre-selected sites. Using four ultralight aircraft, OM's team of pilots -- along with a ground crew of biologists, handlers, vets and drivers -- cover from 0 to 200 km per day, depending on weather conditions.
In early spring of the following year the now sub-adult birds initiate an unassisted return migration to the central Wisconsin area where they were originally introduced.
And there they remain until some inner trigger tells them it is time to again migrate south -- this time completely on their own.
Why use ultralights?
 Everyone who takes to the air does so in the man-made contrivance of their own choice. Some favour “low and slow”, while others prefer speed. Hang gliders can soar on the wind with very few encumbrances, but must land if the air is still. Powered parachutes are too slow, jets too fast, and conventional aircraft far too enclosed. So if you want to fly like a bird, the answer is an ultralight.
Yes, ultralights are noisier than hang gliders, more costly than parachutes, and have fewer backup systems than Cessnas and the like, but ultralights are uniquely suited to flying with birds, and they are exceptionally adaptable to other wildlife conservation purposes.
So what does any of this have to do with sea turtle conservation?
Operation Migration has a dedicated team and a successful track record. We are ready and willing to take on new challenges; and supporting sea turtle conservation could be a perfect match.
 Sea turtles often nest in remote areas -- too difficult, expensive or time-consuming to reach over land or by boat. Even when nesting beaches are relatively near, they may be impossible to monitor effectively over their entire length, which may stretch for dozens of kilometers.
The solution may be to take to the air. Flown at a suitable speed and with the potential to carry a single passenger in addition to the pilot, an ultralight could be deployed to count tracks and carry out surveys of near-shore foraging grounds.
They could be on standby to respond quickly to a radio call -- for instance, to travel to an isolated area where recent nesting has been reported, where a nest may need to be relocated, or an injured turtle treated. Ultralights can also provide more basic services of value to any project, such as the capability of ferrying in essential supplies and removing personnel in case of emergency.
Practical considerations
 Weight-shift ultralights (also known as trikes) are simple and efficient. In their normal configuration they use a strengthened hang-glider type of wing, which pivots above the three wheeled trike and is attached by a restricted universal joint. This means there is only one moving part in the entire control system, adding greatly to its safety.
Trikes have the capacity to lift more than their own weight, with the average aircraft weighing approximately 165 kg but typically able to lift in excess of 185 kg. They are able to take off and land in a hundred metres or so, even at gross weight, and can be easily disassembled for storage or transport in minutes.
Like all light aircraft, ultralights are restricted to good weather and can operate in winds up to 30 kph during daylight hours. Local weather conditions dictate the amount of time that a team can fly on a given day. Early mornings and evenings, when the wind is normally calm, are the best times. During these periods the aircraft can be flown at slow speeds and as low as needed to identify individual species or tracks.
Ultralights are governed by the regulations of the region in which they are operated. All Operation Migration pilots are qualified and licensed in Canada or the United States. Approximately 30 hours of training is required for a simple ultralight pilot permit.
How much do they cost?
The purchase price of a fully equipped aircraft with radios, GPS and all the necessary spares averages USD 30-40,000. The life expectancy for an aircraft is approximately two engine rebuilds or 800 hours. OM trikes are fitted with 45 liter fuel tanks, and burn about 15 liters of fuel per hour. Including engine replacement, the aircraft can be operated for an average of USD 60-80 per hour. Other expenses to operate ultralight aircraft in the field include pilot and/or observer training, wages, housing or travel, and the cost to transport the aircraft and equipment to and from the study area.
If we can help…
 Operation Migration’s primary concern is to help protect and restore endangered or threatened migratory species. We are very enthusiastic about innovative applications for ultralight aircraft and willing to share our expertise to assist other researchers.
Each application for ultralight aircraft and the expertise of the Operation Migration team is an experimental process that evolves to fit the needs. A pilot project for a month or more would be the best way to determine if the Operation Migration ultralight aircraft would be a viable way to monitor and track turtles, and support other aspects of a comprehensve field project.
If you think our research, knowledge, and experience may be of value or use in your sea turtle conservation project, we would be delighted to share what we can with you, or provide such assistance as might be possible.
IOSEA Coordinator, Douglas Hykle, has served on OM’s Board of Directors since 2002 and is an enthusiastic supporter of OM’s work. You can contact Operation Migration via the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat or send your e-mail direct to liz@operationmigration.org.
For details about Operation Migration's role and its activities since the project's inception, please visit our website at www.operationmigration.org. At the time of writing, the 2006 southward migration exercise was well under way, with daily coverage provided in our Field Journal.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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