Cranes close hunting at Quivira National Refuge

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STAFFORD, Kan. (AP) -- Hunting has been temporarily halted at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge to protect more than a dozen whooping cranes who were spotted at the refuge.

Melanie Olds, biological science technician at the refuge, says 11 adult and three juvenile cranes were spotted Wednesday in the north part of the refuge.

Hunting is not allowed when the whooping cranes are present because they are an endangered species.

Olds says the weather determines who long the birds will stay at the refuge.

Refuge officials say hunting will resume when it's determined that the cranes are gone.

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Information from: The Hutchinson News, http://www.hutchnews.com