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Whooping Crane females 80-19 and W18-20 in LaSalle County, Illinois.
Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In the last month, we have released three captive-reared chicks and cranes are getting ready for migration! A huge thank-you to the staff of the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Departments of Natural Resources of flyway states, the International Crane Foundation and all the volunteers who help us keep track of the cranes throughout the year. We appreciate your contribution to the recovery of the Whooping Crane Eastern Migratory Population. This report is produced by the International Crane Foundation.
Population Estimate
The current estimated population size is 81 (38 F, 39 M, 4 U). Nineteen of these 81 individuals are wild-hatched, and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 October, there are at least 63 Whooping Cranes in Wisconsin, one (possibly two) in Michigan and four in Illinois. The remaining birds’ locations have not been confirmed in the last month. Their last known locations (in the past month) are on the map below.
Click here to view our interactive “Where are the Whoopers” map for more details, including bios on each of the cranes.
2021 Cohort
W2-21 (U) is still with parents 3-14 and 4-12 in Green Lake County.
W10-21 (U) was last seen with parents 12-03 and 12-05 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County in August. The whole family group has been MIA during September but is likely still together.
W11-21 (M) is still with parents 36-09 and 18-03 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County.
W14-21 (M) is still with parents 25-09 and 2-04 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County.
83-21 (M) was released at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau Co. during September near W1-06 and W5-18. He is still in Juneau County.
84-21 (F) was released at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau Co. during September near 13-03 and 9-05. She is still in Juneau County.
85-21 (M) was released at White River Marsh in Green Lake County during September near 67-15 and 3-17.
2020 Cohort
W3-20 (F) was last seen in Taylor County, WI, in late May.
W13-20 (M) is still in Dodge County, WI, sometimes with 74-18 (M), 16-11 (M) and 79-19 (F).
W14-20 (M) is still in Juneau County, WI, and has been seen with W6-18 (M) and W14-19 (F).
W18-20 (F) and 80-19 (F) are now in LaSalle County, IL.
2019 Cohort
W1-19 (F) is still in Portage County, WI, with 1-17 (M).
W14-19 (F) is in Juneau County, WI, with W14-20 (M) and W6-18 (M).
W19-19 (U) was last seen in Juneau County, WI, with W10-18 (U) during July.
79-19 (F) is in Dodge County, WI, with 16-11 (M) and sometimes 74-18 (M) and W13-20 (M).
80-19 (F) and W18-20 (F) are now in LaSalle County, IL.
Mortality
None known during September.
Story submitted by Hillary Thompson, North America Program Crane Analyst. Click here to learn more about our work in North America.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]