Dennis

Profile Picture and Leg Ring Combination Code

• Yellow
• Green
• Red

What is this?

Each crane has a unique combination of 3 coloured rings on their right leg. This marking code helps to identify the crane in the wild.

Character profile:

Summer 2010:  Dennis is Minnie's brother and has a very similar appearance, although he is slightly taller. He is also much less aggressive than Minnie. He hatched with his yolk sac protruding and required a lot of TLC in order to survive and he is nervous of new experiences. He became a bit of a loner on arrival in Somerset and seemed more attached to the wooden decoy cranes than the other birds in his release group. We are keeping a close eye on him, as he is not yet exhibiting appropriate safe roosting and group behaviour that will mean he stands a good chance of survival in the wild.  September 2010:  We took the decision to wing-brail Dennis which involved putting a temporary flight restraint on him for a couple of weeks, to force him to spend time with the other birds within the release enclosure, rather than go off and do his own thing.  This seemed to work and with the wing brail now removed, Dennis is regularly roosting with the other birds within the pen and flying out to feed during the day.  He seems to be loosely joining Clarence’s Cohort, but still spends lots of time on his own.  A bit of an odd ball, and we are still not too sure about how vigilant and wary he is, but are happy to give him the benefit of the doubt! October 2010: After a while of tagging along with Clarence's group, Dennis seems to have reverted back to spending most of his time alone in the release enclosure. This is a little frustrating for us but we are hoping it is just a phase and he will rejoin the others soon!  October 2010 update: Unfortunately, Dennis continued to remain within the release enclosure, and he rapidly began to lose weight. For his own welfare the decision was made to take him back into captivity.  He was removed from this year's release programme on October 15th 2010. March 2011: Dennis has finished his period of quarantine at Slimbridge and has now winged his way to the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust in a transport crate.  Although he is reported as being a little bit slower than the other birds he has settled in well. March 2012:  Dennis was diagnosed with having cataracts on both eyes and he is booked in for an operation to help him see again.  It is possible, that he has had eye problems from early in his development which might help to explain some of his odd behaviour.  July 2013: Dennis’s operation was a success, and although he can see better, he will never be able to see well enough to be released into the wild.  He remains in captivity at the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust – where he appears very content.  

Photos of Dennis

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