Whooping Crane Eastern Population Update – October 2026

Whooping Crane juvenile Kimiwan, or 44-26 (far left), was parent-reared at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo and released in Marquette County, Wisconsin, in September. Kimiwan has started migration and was spotted with adults 27-14 and W1-24 (and a curious egret) in Crawford County, Illinois. Photo by Jim Brown

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During September, three parent-reared birds were released! 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 65 (33 F, 25 M, 7 U). Eighteen 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 63 birds in Wisconsin. 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.

2025 Cohort

30-25 (M), 38-25 (F), and W1-25 (U) are still together in Marquette County, Wisconsin. They have been associating with 24-17 (F), W1-24 (U), and the newly released 39-26 (F) and 44-26 (M).

31-25 (F), 32-25 (M), and 34-25 (F) are still together in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

35-25 (F) is still in Taylor County, Wisconsin.

36-25 (M) was found dead in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in September.

2026 Cohort

W1-26 (U) is with parents 4-13 and 10-15 in Green Lake County.

W2-26 (U) is with parents W1-19 and 1-17 in Portage County.

W7-26 (U) is with parents 2-04 and W14-19 in Juneau County.

W10-26 (U) is with parent 3-14 (F) in Green Lake County. Parent 4-14 (M) was found dead in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, in September.

39-26 (F) was parent-reared at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and released in Marquette County, Wisconsin, in September. She has been associating with 44-26 (M), 30-25 (M), 38-25 (F), W1-25 (U), 27-14 (F), and W1-24 (U).

43-26 (M) was parent-reared at the International Crane Foundation and released in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, in September. He has been associating with pair W3-17 (F) and W2-21 (M).

44-26 (M) was parent-reared at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo and released in Marquette County, Wisconsin, in September. He has been associating with 39-26 (F), 30-25 (M), 38-25 (F), and W1-25 (U).

Mortality and Long-term Missing

36-25 (M) was found dead in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in September. Predation is suspected as the cause of death, and necropsy results are pending.

4-14 (M) was found dead in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, in September, and the cause of death is unknown.