Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – January 2025

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During December, the 2024 cohort appears to be doing well! 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.

Photo: Whooping Crane 38-17 in Randolph County, Illinois. David French

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 2 January, there are at least 17 birds in Alabama, two in Tennessee, seven in Kentucky, five in Illinois, 23 in Indiana, two in Georgia, and two in Florida. The remaining birds’ locations have not been confirmed in the last month.  Click here to view our interactive Where are the Whoopers map for more details.

2023 Cohort

W9-23 (F) and 21-23 (M) were last seen in De Witt County, Illinois, in November.

22-23 (F) is still in Hopkins County, Kentucky.

W12-23 (M) migrated from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Juneau County, Wisconsin, to Limestone County, Alabama with W18-20 (F).

Presumed W13-23 (U), an unbanded crane, migrated from Sauk County, Wisconsin, to 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. However, 23-23 (M)’s current GPS location is in Clay County, Indiana, so they are likely all together there.

16-23 (F) is still in Meigs County, Tennessee, occasionally seen with 24-24 (F).

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 still at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Morgan, County Alabama, with W3-17 (F) and W2-21 (U).

24-24 (F) is still in Meigs County, Tennessee, occasionally seen with 16-23 (F)

25-24 (F) migrated from Clark County, Indiana, to Hamilton County, Florida.

27-24 (M) migrated from Clark County, Indiana, to Lake County, Florida.

28-24 (M) went farther south from LaPorte County, Indiana, to Jackson County, Indiana.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during December.

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