Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – October 2025

A crane’s eye view of Whooping Crane juvenile W1-25 with parents W1-19/1-17 in Portage County, Wisconsin. Bev Paulan

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During September, the first breeding pair left Wisconsin and traveled to Illinois! 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 64 (36 F, 25 M, 3 U). 16 of these 65 individuals are wild-hatched, and the rest are captive-reared. To the best of our knowledge, as of 1 October, there are at least 50 birds in Wisconsin, 1 in Indiana, and 2 in Illinois. The locations of the remaining birds 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 observed in Gibson County, Indiana, in September.

24-24 (F) traveled from Dane County, Wisconsin, to Dodge 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 still with parents, W1-19 and 1-17, in Portage County.

Mortality and Long-term Missing

None known during September.