Whooping Cranes are one of many species that form strong bonds with their partners, and once that bond is established with another crane, they will typically remain in that pairing for life. However, it is not unheard of for Whooping Crane pairs to split for various reasons.
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!
The International Crane Foundation recently signed a 20-year collaborative partnership agreement to help restore and manage Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar National Parks of the Kafue Flats in Zambia, home to the largest population of Endangered Wattled Cranes and Kafue Lechwe antelope.
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.
The grasslands in the Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment are home to Blue Cranes and the endangered Grey Crowned Cranes that utilize the region’s wetlands.
The Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment was first established on April 7, 2017, covering 14,305 hectares and made up of 66 properties in the area between Dullstroom and eMakhazeni (formally known as Belfast) in northeastern South Africa. Our partners, The Endangered Wildlife Trust, with BirdLife South Africa, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, and the Greater Lakenvlei Protected Environment Landowners Association, completed the necessary processes, including thorough field assessments and meetings with landowners, to expand the protected area by 7,448 hectares with 32 additional properties. The expansion was formally proclaimed on September 1, 2023, and published in the Mpumalanga Provincial Gazette Number 3569.
CONTACT:
Jodi Legge, Director of External Affairs, 608-356-9462, ext. 120
The Western Cape aerial survey team from left to right: Pilot Mark Rule, Highland Grassland Field Officer Bradley Gibbons, Western Cape Field Officer/Leiden Conservation Graduate Fellow Christie Craig and Resource Extension Officer Pieter Botha
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.
