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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and partners took another step in re-establishing the state’s whooping crane population Tuesday (Nov. 12) when it received 11 juvenile whooping cranes.
The cranes were received Tuesday at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) near Gueydan. Once the new arrivals are released into the wild they will bring the Louisiana population to nearly 80 cranes.
Of the new arrivals, six juvenile whooping cranes came from the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin and four cranes were hatched and reared at the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center in New Orleans, part of the Audubon Nature Institute.
LDWF and Audubon Nature Institute have been longtime leaders in whooping crane conservation in Louisiana and are continuing to expand their partnership with the goal of developing a self-sustaining population of whooping cranes in Louisiana.
LDWF and Audubon are committed to the long-term growth and stability of the whooping crane population. That commitment is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Cameron LNG, Coypu Foundation and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation.
The 11 whooping cranes were placed into a holding pen at White Lake WCA for observation as they acclimate to their new home. They’re expected to be set free from the release pen after several weeks.
“We’re so pleased that our Louisiana whooping crane population continues to increase,’’ LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said. “We’re well on our way to bringing back a beautiful bird that once could be seen throughout the coastal prairie of southwest Louisiana. And we thank Chevron and our other corporate partners, Audubon and our LDWF biologists who continue to work tirelessly in this process.’’
Montoucet said he also appreciates the cooperation of private landowners in southwest Louisiana who have seen cranes take up residence on their land. “We thank them all and look forward to the continued partnership,” he said.
Since 2011, Chevron has invested in LDWF’s whooping crane reintroduction project. In addition to Chevron’s financial contributions their employees have also given volunteer hours.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Audubon Nature Institute on whooping crane restoration and repopulation to ensure this endangered species is thriving for generations to come,” said Leah Brown, Corporate Affairs Manager for Chevron's Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.
The Louisiana flock began in 2011 when 10 whooping cranes from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland were released at White Lake WCA to develop the non-migratory flock. This marked a significant conservation milestone with the first wild whooping cranes in Louisiana since 1950.
Anyone encountering a whooping crane is advised to observe the bird from a distance and to report the sighting to LDWF ( http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/webform/whooping-crane-reporting-form ). Whooping cranes are large-bodied, white birds with a red head and black facial markings. Birds measure a height of five feet and have a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet that makes them very distinctive. In flight, whooping cranes display black wing tips anda fully extended neck and legs, which extend well beyond the tail. For more information about the project please visit LDWF’s website: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/whooping-cranes and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lawhoopingcranes/
Anyone witnessing suspicious activity involving whooping cranes is advised to call the LDWF’s Enforcement Division at 1-800-442-2511 or use the tip411 program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the "LADWF Tips" iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. Citizen Observer, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.

July 15, 1937 - November 17, 2019

Abbeville — A Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, honoring the life of Gene Edward Baudoin, 82, who died Sunday, November 17, 2019. He passed away peacefully with family by his side at The Ellington in Rayne. Deacon Byron Soley will officiate the service. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery at a later date.
Gene was born in Natchitoches Louisiana and moved to Abbeville when he was 2 years old and moved back to Natchitoches after retirement. He attended Mount Carmel Academy and graduated from Abbeville High School in 1955. He enlisted in the Navy in 1956 He served as an air traffic controller with Early Warning and took part in 91 missions. He married Marlene
Broussard Nov 3, 1956. After discharge from the Navy he worked in the Oil Field retiring in 1999 from Shell Oil Co after 38 years in the oil field. He returned to Acadiana after his wife died in 2014.
Gene is survived by his son, Dr. Bryan Baudoin and wife, Wendy; grandson, Kyle Baudoin; Granddaughter, Madison Baudoin; brother, Paul Baudoin and wife, Elizabeth; brother-in- law, Terry Broussard and wife, Rose; godchild, Anna Larriviere; two aunts, Kay Thomas and Madeline Baudoin; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Baudoin and the former Geraldine Smith; Wife, Marlene Broussard Baudoin; daughter, Gwendolyn Baudoin; grandson Justin Baudoin; and sister, Dolores Baudoin Armentor.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 10:00 AM until time of service. A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 AM.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

February 3, 1938 ~ November 17, 2019

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Velta Hebert Meaux, 81, who died Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Vermilion Health Care Center. She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services.
She is survived by her three sons, Gregg Meaux and his wife, Debby of Kaplan, Kent Meaux and his wife, Celeste of Kaplan, and Boyd Meaux and his wife, Anna of Lafayette; her six grandchildren, Mitch Meaux, Marcell Meaux, Madilyn Meaux, Taylor Meaux, Matthew Meaux, and Zachary Meaux; seven great grandchildren; and her two brothers, Rodolph Hebert, Jr. of Nunez and Ronald Hebert of Nunez.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Gene Meaux; her parents, Rodolph Hebert and the fomer Alor Hebert; and one brother, Eston Hebert.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at 12:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Veita H. Meaux to Lourdes Foundation, 4801 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70508 or online at www.lourdesfoundation.com or to Miles Perret Center Cancer Services, 2130 Kaliste Saloom Rd #200, Lafayette, LA 70508 or online at www.milesperret.org.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Meaux family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

According to Captain Drew David, the Public Information Officer for the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force made the following arrests for narcotics related offenses within the parish.
On Oct. 21, Don Mitchell, 44, of Abbeville, was arrested in Abbeville for Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I, (Marijuana), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, (Hydrocodone), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I, (Synthetic Marijuana), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I, (MDMA), Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a restricted person.
On Oct. 28, Christian Baez, 18, of Erath, was arrested in Erath and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I, (Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm in the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
On Oct. 29, Billy Dalton Comeaux Brailey, 28, of Abbeville, was arrested in Abbeville for Principal to Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, (Methamphetamine), Possession of Schedule I, (Marijuana), Transactions involving Drug Proceeds.
On Nov. 15, Michael Roche Jr., 26, of Kaplan, was arrested in Kaplan for Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Sheriff Mike Couvillon would like to thank the Mayors, and their council, of Abbeville, Gueydan, and Erath, along with their Chiefs of Police, for their support of the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force. Sheriff Couvillon also applauds the concerned citizens of Vermilion Parish for their awareness and assistance in helping the Task Force in fighting the war on illegal drugs. He encourages all citizens with information in regards to illegal drug activities to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office or the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit at 337-740-4501 or E-mail the Task Force anonymously at taskforce@vpso.net and your e-mail will be held in the “strictest of confidence” and replied to in a very timely manner.
More information on reporting drug activities can be seen on our Web Site at www.vpso.net. Click on Narcotics and fill out the TURN IN A PUSHER information.