Sandhill Cranes Get Help From Wildlife Loving Family

In the midst of rush-hour traffic, the Goodrich family stopped traffic earlier this week on Forest Lakes Road in Oldsmar to herd a family of sandhill cranes, including two newborn chicks, across the road to safety.

The cranes had made it to the median at some point in the day to enjoy the shade of large trees. Once the traffic began to flow heavily, they could not make it back to safety as the chicks could not fly and the adults would not leave them. Cars were not slowing down for them - despite being a treasured and endangered species and the male adult bird was becoming agitated. 

The Goodrich family, seeing their plight, made a U-turn in their car and acted quickly. Caroline Goodrich risked the ire of angry honking drivers and speeding trucks, and halted two lanes of traffic while Caroline's husband, Jerry, shepherded the Crane family across the road and to the safety of their nesting grounds alongside a pond. Their animal-loving son, Tristan, shouted encouragement from the car to his parents and the cranes.