One of the remarkable cross-species love stories of our era has reached its conclusion.
Walnut, a renowned white-naped crane who captured the hearts of many on the internet, has passed away at the age of 42. She is survived by eight chicks, the devoted staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and Chris Crowe, a human zookeeper who Walnut considered her mate for nearly two decades.
“Walnut possessed a truly exceptional personality,” expressed Crowe in a statement issued by the National Zoo. “I will forever cherish the bond we shared.”
The tale of Walnut (and Chris) has brought about online fame and even inspired a few love songs. This story dates back to 2004 when the bird first arrived at the institute’s campus in Front Royal, Virginia.
Walnut, who hatched from eggs laid by two wild cranes that were brought to the U.S. illegally but subsequently rescued by the International Crane Foundation, was raised by humans and developed a strong bond with her caretakers. This preference continued when she came to the institute, as she displayed no interest in breeding and even repelled male crane suitors.
However, white-naped cranes are categorized as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 5,300 remaining in their natural habitats across Mongolia, Siberia, Korea, Japan, and China due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, nest predation, and poaching. As Walnut was the offspring of two wild-caught cranes, her genetic lineage was not represented in U.S. zoos. Therefore, persuading Walnut to breed was deemed a crucial endeavor.
Chris Crowe stepped in and, as per a statement from the zoo, won her over by “observing and mimicking” the mating behaviors of the male white-naped cranes at the institute. Videos depict Crowe offering Walnut food, as well as grass and leaves for nest-building materials. When he flaps his arms in front of her, the majestic bird responds with excitement, engaging in a captivating dance with a half-circle movement and a bobbing head. Once Crowe had gained her trust, he successfully artificially inseminated her using sperm from a male crane.
This unique arrangement proved to be immensely successful, resulting in Walnut giving birth to eight chicks. The fertilized eggs were entrusted to other white-naped crane pairs who nurtured them as their own. Among the eight white-naped cranes currently residing at the institute, one is Walnut’s offspring, while another is her grandchild.
The relationship between Walnut and Crowe also appeared to have contributed to Walnut’s well-being, as she nearly tripled the median life expectancy of 15 years for white-naped cranes under human care, reaching the age of 42.
Walnut was born in Wisconsin during the summer of 1981 and was named after a renowned local dessert, walnut pie.
Walnut, a white-naped crane and internet celebrity, has passed away at the age of 42. She was known for her bond with her human caretaker, Chris Crowe, and for being a successful mother to eight chicks. Walnut’s unique relationship with Crowe helped increase her lifespan and contribute to the conservation of the vulnerable white-naped crane species.
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