Sandhill cranes gather in spectacular migratory staging areas - most famously along the Platte River - where the welfare of hundreds of thousands of birds depends on habitat protection.
The staging behavior of sandhill cranes represents one of North America's most spectacular wildlife events, but the concentration of birds makes them vulnerable to disturbance and habitat degradation. Individual crane welfare during staging depends on access to adequate foraging areas and undisturbed roost sites. The energy accumulated during staging determines breeding success in Arctic regions thousands of miles away - welfare impairments at staging translate to reduced reproductive outcomes. Protecting these gathering sites protects both individual welfare and population viability.