Japanese cranes mate for life.
Both parents build the nest and care for their offspring.
In the fall, chicks fly with their parents to their wintering grounds.
Japanese cranes mate for life.
Both parents build the nest and care for their offspring.
In the fall, chicks fly with their parents to their wintering grounds.
But sometimes life has other plans, and young birds may lose their birth family.
But sometimes life has other plans, and young birds may lose their birth family.
Our story is based on real events and reflects the fate of many birds.
Japanese cranes return home from their wintering sites.
The young crane is looking for a mate. He is 3 years old and ready to breed.
Our story is based on real events and reflects the fate of many birds.
Japanese cranes return home from their wintering sites.
The young crane is looking for a mate. He is 3 years old and ready to breed.
The bird performs a mating dance.
One of the females responds to the male’s courtship.
And they dance together…
The bird performs a mating dance.
One of the females responds to the male’s courtship.
And they dance together…
Females chose a nesting place.
There should be a good view of the surrounding area and many tall, dried plants,
Females chose a nesting place.
There should be a good view of the surrounding area and many tall, dried plants,
… Water should be nearby but no humans.
The young cranes are ready to become parents.
The chicks will hatch very soon.
A long and happy summer awaits the cranes.
… Water should be nearby but no humans.
The young cranes are ready to become parents.
The chicks will hatch very soon.
A long and happy summer awaits the cranes.
But their plans are ill-fated…
But their plans are ill-fated…
Father-crane was out hunting when the grass fire started.
Father-crane was out hunting when the grass fire started.
He is trying to get through the flames, but his efforts are in vain.
He is trying to get through the flames, but his efforts are in vain.
Mother-crane stays in the nest to the last moment.
Mother-crane stays in the nest to the last moment.
Only when the fire is very close does she abandon the nest.
From afar the cranes see people.
Only when the fire is very close does she abandon the nest.
From afar the cranes see people.
They are volunteer fire fighters.
They are volunteer fire fighters.
People came just in time.
People came just in time.
Having put out the blaze, the firefighters come upon an abandoned nest containing two eggs.
The nest is slightly singed, but the eggs are safe.
Having put out the blaze, the firefighters come upon an abandoned nest containing two eggs.
The nest is slightly singed, but the eggs are safe.
They inform the staff of Khingansky Nature Reserve.
The eggs are transported to the Reserve’s Centre for Bird Rehabilitation.
The parents return to the nest.
The parents return to the nest.
But it is empty.
But it is empty.
The Reserve’s staff put the eggs into an incubator.
The Reserve’s staff put the eggs into an incubator.
After several days one of chicks hatches.
After several days one of chicks hatches.
The second chick cannot break through its shell.
He moves and cheeps inside the egg, but lacks the necessary strength.
The second chick cannot break through its shell.
He moves and cheeps inside the egg, but lacks the necessary strength.
The Centre’s staff lends a hand and make a small hole in the shell.
The chick has arrived; it catches its breath.
The Centre’s staff lends a hand and make a small hole in the shell.
The chick has arrived; it catches its breath.
The specialist sexes the babies using a bit of blood from the shell.
The first chick is a boy. He is named Dep.
And the second chick, the one that could not break through its shell, is a female named Nora.
The specialist sexes the babies using a bit of blood from the shell.
The first chick is a boy. He is named Dep.
And the second chick, the one that could not break through its shell, is a female named Nora.
For ten days, the newborns live in a brooder, a sort of nursery for chicks.
Later, they will be ringed and allowed outdoors.
For ten days, the newborns live in a brooder, a sort of nursery for chicks.
Later, they will be ringed and allowed outdoors.
It is not possible to set such small birds free – they would die. Humans must raise them.
The cranes are fed 8–10 times a day at the Centre.
It is not possible to set such small birds free – they would die. Humans must raise them.
The cranes are fed 8–10 times a day at the Centre.
This first spring, the chicks live near the Reserve office.
In summer, they are taken to Klyoshinskoye Lake.
This first spring, the chicks live near the Reserve office.
In summer, they are taken to Klyoshinskoye Lake.
At the lake, Dep and Nora meet some relations.
Getting a bit stronger, the birds begin to take flight.
At the lake, Dep and Nora meet some relations.
Getting a bit stronger, the birds begin to take flight.
One of the Centre’s staff teaches them how to fly. Dep and Nora have known the woman since birth and consider her their mom.
One of the Centre’s staff teaches them how to fly. Dep and Nora have known the woman since birth and consider her their mom.
Dep and Nora are accustomed to life at the Reserve. The people looking on present no danger.
Dep and Nora are accustomed to life at the Reserve. The people looking on present no danger.
They hunt for food for themselves and explore the area, preparing for a long flight
They hunt for food for themselves and explore the area, preparing for a long flight
But…
But…
When flying one day from a night perch to their feeding area,
Nora hits a power line.
She is alive but cannot fly.
When flying one day from a night perch to their feeding area,
Nora hits a power line.
She is alive but cannot fly.
Fall has come.
The big crane family is ready to fly to their wintering grounds.
Dep is not keen to leave Nora alone but his instincts prevail.
Fall has come.
The big crane family is ready to fly to their wintering grounds.
Dep is not keen to leave Nora alone but his instincts prevail.
Nora is on her own.
She is brought back to the office area, where she spent her whole childhood. Familiar people have saved her life once again.
Let her family fly to faraway places, she has a foster family.
Nora is on her own.
She is brought back to the office area, where she spent her whole childhood. Familiar people have saved her life once again.
Let her family fly to faraway places, she has a foster family.
Dep has survived the long flight.
He has reached his wintering grounds in a distant land.
Dep has survived the long flight.
He has reached his wintering grounds in a distant land.
On the Korean Peninsula and the eastern coast of China, where the Japanese cranes winter, ornithologists send a report…
…To Khingansky Reserve staff regarding the number of birds that have arrived.
Thanks to the ring on his leg, the researchers know that Dep is doing well.
On the Korean Peninsula and the eastern coast of China, where the Japanese cranes winter, ornithologists send a report…
с…To Khingansky Reserve staff regarding the number of birds that have arrived.
Thanks to the ring on his leg, the researchers know that Dep is doing well.
Dep and Nora’s parents have reached the same wintering site.
A new generation of chicks comes with them.
Unknowingly, Dep has found his birth family.
Dep and Nora’s parents have reached the same wintering site.
A new generation of chicks comes with them.
Unknowingly, Dep has found his birth family.
It is time for the birds to fly home.
It is time for the birds to fly home.
An unexpected meeting awaits Dep.
During the winter, the people healed Nora’s wing.
She must learn to fly once again and rejoin the flock.
An unexpected meeting awaits Dep.
During the winter, the people healed Nora’s wing.
She must learn to fly once again and rejoin the flock.
This time Nora will get help both from her birth and foster families.
This time Nora will get help both from her birth and foster families.