Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – September 2025

Whooping Cranes 38-17 and 28-24 in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Photo by Doug Pellerin

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. The past month’s big news: this year’s wild-hatched chick, W1-25, 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 64 (36 F, 25 M, 3 U). Sixteen of these 65 individuals are wild-hatched and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 September, there are at least 54 birds in Wisconsin. 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 crane.

2024 Cohort

W1-24 (U) was last confirmed in Greene County, Indiana in April, but an unbanded bird observed in Juneau County, Wisconsin, in August may have been W1-24 or another unbanded bird, W1-22.

24-24 (F) is still in Dane County, Wisconsin.

25-24 (F) was last seen in Hamilton County, Florida, in December.

27-24 (M) was last seen in Hamilton County, Florida, in December.

28-24 (M) is still in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

29-24 (M) is still in Monroe County, Wisconsin.

2025 Cohort

W1-25 (U) is currently with parents, W1-19 and 1-17, in Portage County.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

15-11 (F) was found dead in Juneau County, Wisconsin, in August, and the suspected cause was predation.

37-07 (M) was found dead in Juneau County, Wisconsin, in August but the cause of death was unknown.

16-04 (M) was found dead in Juneau County, Wisconsin, in August, and the suspected cause was predation.

4-17 (M) was found dead in Sauk County, Wisconsin, in August, likely due to a leg injury and molting.