Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In December, the 2023 cohort appeared to be doing well, and the cranes migrated south to their wintering grounds! 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.
Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. During November, the chicks of the 2023 cohort migrated south with other Whooping Cranes, and most cranes are gone from the breeding grounds!
Whooping Cranes are one of North America’s rarest and most endangered species, removed from the eastern United States until a multi-state reintroduction effort began in 2001. Today, this population of Whooping Cranes is growing. However, it is still small and faces human-induced threats such as wetland habitat loss and degradation, powerline collisions, poaching and more.
Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. The rest of the captive-reared birds were released in October, and migration began! 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.
Two Whooping Cranes strike a pose in a harvested sweet corn field in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Paul Hettenhaus
Below is the most recent update for the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes. In September, the first captive-reared crane has been 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. This report was produced by the International Crane Foundation.
Four Oklahoman men were sentenced last week by the United States Attorney’s Office in Oklahoma for the shocking killing of four Whooping Cranes in Nov. 2021. Their sentencing includes restitution totaling $68,000 to the International Crane Foundation, forfeiture of firearms, and nationwide loss of hunting privileges for five years.
According to the most recent estimates from Environment and Climate Change, Canada, this year’s wildfires in the Northwest Territories of Canada have impacted nearly 3 million hectares – an area greater than three times the size of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
Update: We have received W2-23’s necropsy results from the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The analysis showed that the young crane was compromised from a systemic parasite disease common in birds. Unfortunately, a final trauma to its left foot was more than the young crane could survive. Photos by Doug Pellerin
Ancient. Elegant. Endangered. Cranes inspire us to work for a better world. Reflecting on our golden anniversary, I am drawn to the amazing places where cranes have led us, and how decades of commitment and partnership inspire innovative new ways to safeguard cranes and the lands and waters we share.
Follow the annual movements of 19 Whooping Cranes as they journey between their wintering grounds along the Texas Gulf Coast to their breeding areas in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada.
