Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – June 2025
A Whooping Crane takes flight in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Photo by Terri Sgarlata
Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During May, more pairs have started to hatch chicks and renesting has begun! 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 68 (37 F, 29 M, 2 U). Fifteen of these 68 individuals are wild-hatched and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 June, there are at least 54 birds in Wisconsin, one in Illinois, and one in Indiana. 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.
2024 Cohort
W1-24 (U) was last seen in Greene County, Indiana in April.
24-24 (F) is still in Marshall County, Indiana.
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) traveled from Ozaukee County, Wisconsin to Dodge County, Wisconsin.
29-24 (M) traveled from Marquette County, Wisconsin to Adams County, Wisconsin.
Reproduction
Nests that were completed by 1 June:
- Juneau County: 8 nests were a part of forced renesting when black flies emerged, 1 renest failed possibly due to flooding, and 2 nests hatched 2 chicks.
- Portage County: 1 nest hatched 2 chicks.
- Green Lake County: 2 nests failed for unknown reasons after sitting full term, and 2 nests hatched 2 chicks.
- Sauk County: 1 nest failed due to predation by a coyote.
Active nests:
4 in Juneau County, 1 in Sauk County
Wild-hatched chicks (chicks listed in bold are currently alive):
- W1-25 and W2-25 hatched in late April in Portage County to parents W1-19 and 1-17 but one of the chicks has gone missing.
- W3_25 hatched in early May in Juneau County to parents 12_11 and 5_11 but went missing by the end of the month.
- W4_25 hatched in early May in Green Lake County to parents 10_15 and 4_13.
- W5_25 hatched in early May in Green Lake County to parents 3_14 and 4_12 but went missing by the end of the month.
- W6_25 hatched in late May in Juneau County to parents 12_03 and 12_05.
Mortality and Long-term Missing
4-12 (M) died from predation in May in Green Lake County, Wisconsin.
W6-18 (M) was last seen in May 2024 and is now considered long-term missing. He did not show up on the wintering grounds and has not been seen back in Wisconsin again this spring.
Story submitted by Nicki Gordon, Whooping Crane Biological Technician. Click here to learn more about our work in North America.
