Whooping Cranes Get Escorts?

A flock of 19 whooping cranes suffered a flight delay near Chattanooga, Tennessee when high winds prevented them from flying over a ridge. Okay, that much makes sense. What I don’t get is the ultralight escort these birds have from Wisconsin to Florida.

Adult whooping cranes can make the migration on their own, but volunteers flying ultralight aircraft lead youngsters along the route each year.

Could be a contributing factor to their endangered situation, no?
(Actually, it's the kind of job I wouldn't mind: Whooping Crane escort. But it does bring to mind those floks who have to dance withthe cranes to put them in the mood for love or who don sock puppets to feed the fledglings.)

Full article here.