Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – February 2025

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During January, most birds stayed on their typical wintering grounds. 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.

Juvenile 24-24 foraging with Sandhill Cranes in Jackson County, Indiana. Photo by Mira Morgaine

Population Estimate

The current estimated population size is 70 (36 F, 31 M, 3 U). Sixteen of these 70 individuals are wild-hatched and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 3 February, there are at least 17 birds in Alabama, three in Tennessee, eight in Kentucky, five in Illinois, 23 in Indiana, and two in Georgia. 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.

2023 Cohort

W9-23 (F) was last seen in De Witt County, Illinois, in November.

22-23 (F), 21-23 (M), and an unbanded crane, possibly W1-22 (U), were last seen in Hardin County, Tennessee. However, 22-23’s current GPS location is in Hopkins County, Kentucky.

W12-23 (M) is still with W18-20 (F) in Limestone County, Alabama.

Presumed W13-23 (U), an unbanded crane, is in Hickman County, Kentucky, with 4-17 (M).

19-23 (M), 17-23 (F), 23-23 (M), and 20-23 (F) were last seen together in Parke County, Indiana.

16-23 (F) traveled from Meigs County, Tennessee, to Greene County, Indiana.

2024 Cohort

W1-24 (U) and parents, 5-11 and 12-11, were last seen in Lawrence County, Illinois, in November.

29-24 (M) is in Limestone, County Alabama, with W3-17 (F) and W2-21 (U).

24-24 (F) is still in Meigs County, Tennessee.

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

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

28-24 (M) traveled from Jackson County, Indiana, to Meigs County, Tennessee, and is currently in Barren County, Kentucky.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during January.

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