Sandhill Cranes Make Comeback in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - It appears sandhill cranes are making a comeback in Minnesota.

At least 150 young sandhill cranes were spotted at the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area in Forest Lake on Sunday. Department of Natural Resources' non-game wildlife expert Carroll Henderson says he never imagined such a sight.

Henderson says he's never seen more than a few paired cranes that close to Twin Cities.

He says the cranes were likely attracted to Carlos Avery because controlled burns created a perfect habitat for young cranes to gather, forage and look for mates.

Henderson says that in 1940, the state could count no more than 40 sandhill cranes in far northwestern Minnesota. Now, the sandhill crane population is estimated at 10,000 in Minnesota, thanks in part to protected habitat and public education.