Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – September 2024

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During August, our wild-hatched chick has reached fledging! 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. The International Crane Foundation produced this report.

Population Estimate

The current estimated population size is 68 (37 F, 28 M, 3 U). Sixteen of these 68 individuals are wild-hatched, and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 September, there are at least 55 in Wisconsin and one in Minnesota. 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.

2023 Cohort

W9-23 (F), 21-23 (M), and 22-23 (F) left Marathon County, Wisconsin, together and are now at the National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County, Wisconsin.

W12-23 (M) is still at the National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County, Wisconsin, and has been seen associating with 15-11 (F) and W18-20 (F).

W13-23 (U) has not been seen since June in Brown County, South Dakota.

19-23 (M), 17-23 (F), 20-23 (F), and 23-23 (M) are still in Dodge County, Wisconsin, together.

16-23 (F) traveled from Freeborn to Steel County, Minnesota.

2024 Cohort

W1-24 (U) was confirmed to have fledged in August and is currently with parents, 5-11 and 12-11, in Juneau County, Wisconsin.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

2-17 (F) was last seen at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County, Wisconsin, in August 2023. We assume 2-17 has died and is now considered long-term missing.

Story submitted by Nicki Gordon, Whooping Crane Biological Technician. Click here to learn more about our work in North America.