BARABOO Wis. – The whooping crane Gee Whiz, who represented a landmark in saving his species from extinction, died at the International Crane Foundation refuge. He was 38. Gee Whiz was conceived by artificial insemination and hatched at the refuge. He went on to sire 178 cranes. Gee Whiz wasn’t the refuge’s oldest whopping crane. One had lived to 46 years. The usual life span is 22 to 24. The death occurred February 28 but was reported belatedly. Gee Whiz was known for a nasty disposition. Fiercely territorial of his enclosure, he often pecked his handlers’ calves and fingers.
Gee Whiz in a preening moment. Refuge handlers remember him as cranky. Old age perhaps? Or just born that way? Err, hatched that way.