Since the partnership to return Whooping Cranes to the eastern U.S. was formed in 2001, the number of Whooping Cranes in the Eastern Flyway has grown to around 75 individuals but has yet to reach the milestone of a self-sustaining population. In 2010, researchers at the International Crane Foundation began assessing how release sites were chosen for the species to determine if other areas were better suited to their needs.

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During May, breeding pairs in the population have been nesting and hatching chicks!

Over many years of conservation and reintroduction efforts, we have brought back Whooping Cranes from the brink of extinction. In 2001, as part of the international Whooping Crane recovery plan, the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) was reintroduced to wetlands in Wisconsin, where they would eventually breed and raise their chicks before migrating south every winter.

In 2015, a young Whooping Crane pair built nesting platforms in Indiana for the first time since the late 1800s – one of the nests is circled in the above photo. This behavior indicates that Indiana could support not only wintering Whooping Cranes but potentially breeding cranes, too. Amy Kearns

In 2015, a young Whooping Crane pair built nesting platforms in Indiana for the first time since the late 1800s – one of the nests is circled in the above photo. This behavior indicates that Indiana could support not only wintering Whooping Cranes but potentially breeding pairs, too. Amy Kearns
In 2001, a migratory Whooping Crane population called the Eastern Migratory Population, was reintroduced to the eastern United States. The plan was for these Whooping Cranes to nest in Wisconsin and migrate to Florida for the winter. Today, Whooping Cranes in this population do not choose to winter as far south as Florida. Instead, most of these Whooping Cranes spend their winters further north, and over one-third of the population winter in Indiana at refuges such as Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area and Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Indiana has increasingly become an important space for Whooping Cranes after they first began wintering here in 2007.

Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During March, most birds have arrived on their typical breeding/summering grounds in Wisconsin. There are still some cranes migrating back and a few juveniles who have yet to leave their wintering grounds.