Net Neutrality, Ping Pong Diplomacy, Whooping Cranes

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• Endangered Whooping Cranes Reach Migration Destination But What’s Next?

  A squad of Wisconsin whooping cranes reached their destination in Florida last week after a three-month migration, assisted by aircraft to show them the way.

  The eight birds will spend the rest of the winter in the a wildlife in the Florida panhandle before taking off for Wisconsin again.

  Anne Lacy, crane research coordinator with the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, said they’re the last cohort of birds to finish this season’s migration. While these eight were led by an ultra-light aircraft, others made their own way or followed parents who had been guided in the past.

  Lacy said the cranes only need to be led through the migration route once before they pick it up.

  “They can make that map in their head just once, just like birds that follow their parents. They learn that route, safe places to roost, where to find food,” she said.

  At the low point, Lacy said the North American whooping crane population was down to about 15 birds. Currently, she said there are 109 birds in the Eastern population, along with 400 that follow a Canada-to Texas migration path.

  With numbers having gotten that low, Lacy said genetic diversity is a big challenge. She said the restoration effort uses a combination of artificial insemination, natural pairs and eggs found in the wild to keep that diversity as high as possible.

  In addition, the Crane Foundation and partners across the migration area do their best to help injured birds, help them find the best landscapes, protect them from hunting, and make sure other species aren’t driving the cranes off of their nests.

  Lacy said it’s an evolving effort.

  “Every year, we learn more, we refine, we educate, it’s an ongoing process even after 13 years,” she said.

  She said the whooping cranes won’t stay in Florida long — they should all be back in Wisconsin in April.

• Net Neutrality Decision Explained

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  Earlier this week, an appeals court struck down federal rules requiring broadband providers to treat all Internet traffic equally. A technology policy reporter explains what this could mean for your average Internet user.

• The Political History of Ping Pong

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  For the Chinese, Ping Pong has always been political. So says our guest this hour who traces the impact of ping pong and the role it played on the geo-political stage.

• Whooping Cranes Reach Destination, Restoration Efforts Continue

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  A group of whooping cranes reached their destination in Florida after a three-month journey from Wisconsin. A crane expert shares the details of the trip and the ongoing effort to restore the endangered birds.