Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In the last month, the first chicks have fledged! 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 was produced by the International Crane Foundation.
Population Estimate
The current estimated population size is 76 (38 F, 35 M, 3 U). Eighteen of these 76 individuals are wild-hatched and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 August, there are at least 64 Whooping Cranes in Wisconsin and two in Michigan. 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.
2022 Wild-hatched Cohort
The chicks listed below in bold are currently alive, as far as we know. So far at least 14 chicks have hatched and up to five are still alive. The two oldest chicks have fledged and are now included in the population totals above. The three youngest chicks are not yet included in the population totals above.
W1-22 (U) is still with parents 12-11 and 5-11 in Juneau County. W1 fledged during July!
W4-22 (U) is still with parents 1-17 and W1-19 in Portage County and fledged during July!
W11-22 (U) is still with parents 9-05 and 13-03 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County and is due to fledge in late August or early September.
W12-22 (U) is still with parents 13-02 and 24-08 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County and is due to fledge in late August or early September.
W14-22 (U) is still with parents 15-11 and 29-08 at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County and is due to fledge in late August or early September.
2021 Cohort
W2-21 (U) was last confirmed in Green Lake County, WI, in May.
W11-21 (M) is still in Juneau County, WI.
W14-21 (M) is in Juneau County, WI, and was seen associating with 84-21 (F).
84-21 (F) is in Juneau County, WI, and was seen associating with W14-21 (M).
85-21 (M) is still in Green Lake County, WI.
2020 Cohort
W3-20 (F) is now by herself in Adams County, WI.
W13-20 (M) is still by himself in Dodge County, WI.
W18-20 (F) was last seen in Jackson County, WI in June.
Mortality and Long-term Missing
None known during July.
Story submitted by Hillary Thompson, North America Program Crane Analyst. Click here to learn more about our work in North America.