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Mar 8, 2007 3:49 pm US/Mountain
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Ancient Cranes Return To Colorado
Prepared for the Web by CBS4 producer Raetta Holdman
MONTE VISTA, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Sandhill cranes have begun their annual pilgrimage to the San Luis valley, and once again the community of Monte Vista is preparing to celebrate with its annual crane festival this weekend.
The giant birds have made the trip back to the valley for thousands of years.
"Many people believe that the crane has existed here for millions of years," said Kelly Crum with the National Forest Service.
"Some believe it is the oldest species, a living fossil."
The Spaniards encountered the cranes when they arrived in the valley in 1600s, naming the area the Mountain of the Cranes.
Evidence of the cranes' existence can be found in the drawings left behind by the ancient people who lived in the valley.
Forest Service archaeologist Vince Spiro pointed out the first depiction of the large animal which is of the cranes to a CBS4 crew. It's found tucked on a wall on the valley.
"If this were 3,000 years old, it would attest to them to being here at least that long, and probably cranes were here before that," Spiro said.
The sandhill cranes return to the valley starting late February and stay through mid April.
This is the 24th year for the Monte Vista Crane Festival, which runs from Mar. 9 through Mar. 11 and features sunrise and sunset tours to see the cranes.
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