When you’re watching a herd of sleek caribou crunch across the Arctic landscape, animal migration seems preordained, predestined — a massive, well-coordinated movement that occurs thanks to internal cues and clocks. And that’s true, except for animals raised in captivity, like the whooping crane. (Am I the only one who can’t help but think of Tom Robbins’ book “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” whenever these tall, leggy creatures are mentioned?)

How do you teach a whooper to migrate? Well, you borrow a lightweight aircraft, get it airborne and broadcast the bird’s call on the craft’s handy MP3 player, according to Catherine Schwanke’s story at Popular Science.

The aviators and wildlife enthusiasts at Operation Migration first got the idea to teach birds migratory behavior and lead them on safer migration paths after watching geese follow a boat.

Keep reading to see a video of them departing.