By Chester McConnell, Friends of the Wild Whoopers
Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, PhD has partnered with Friends of the Wild Whoopers (FOTWW) as “Whooping Crane Science Advisor”. He will provide guidance on conservation, management and future needs of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population of wild Whooping Cranes. The Aransas-Wood Buffalo Whooping Crane flock is the only self-sustaining wild population on earth.
Dr. Chavez-Ramirez will also provide answers to questions posed by the interested public. A question and answer section “Ask Dr. Felipe” will be established on FOTWW’s web page. Both questions and answers will be entertained on the web site in an effort to provide scientifically accurate information to the public.
Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, PhD is well qualified to serve as FOTWW’s “Whooping Crane Science Advisor”. He is director of conservation programs at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson, Texas. He has a Ph.D. and Master of Science in wildlife ecology from Texas A&M University, College Station and a Bachelor of Science in biology and wildlife management from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. He is also a member of the graduate faculty, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska and adjunct professor at the University of Houston. He is a member of the US-Canada Whooping Crane Recovery Team, and a member the World Conservation Union’s IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC) Crane Specialist Group.
His research has focused on ecology and conservation issues of North American cranes, especially the Whooping Crane, Sandhill Crane and Cuban Sandhill Crane. He has published more than 40 scientific articles and presented more than 50 talks at invited seminars and professional meetings related to ecology and conservation of birds.
Dr. Felipe Chavez-Ramirez’s work experience includes:
- Executive director of the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust
- Studied Whooping Crane habitat use patterns, foraging and energetics for his PhD dissertation.
- He has continued to conduct field work and conservation projects on Whooping Cranes since 1993. He conducted surveys and worked with the Whooping Cranes in wintering ground, migratory corridor and the breeding grounds in Canada.
- Along with other collaborators he organized the Whooping Conservation Action Plan, results of which are now represented in the 1000 Whoopers.
- Currently he serves as President of the North American Crane Working Group.
FOTWW is proud to have Dr. Felipe Chavez-Ramirez on board.
***** FOTWW’s mission is to help preserve and protect the Aransas/Wood Buffalo
population of wild whooping cranes and their habitat. *****
