Defenders of Wildlife Blog

Whooping cranes are America’s largest wading birds and also one of the most endangered animals in the country. Standing nearly five feet tall with a wingspan of seven feet and weighing more than 15 pounds, these graceful birds are an impressive sight on land and in the air—that is, if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the exceedingly rare birds.

Crane species are also some of the oldest animals on the planet. Some crane fossils found in Nebraska were estimated to be some 9 million years old. Whooping cranes were once common across much of the Midwest, where they fed along marshlands and scavenged spent grain in corn and wheat fields. Populations then dwindled to just 21 individuals in the wild by 1941 as a result of widespread habitat loss. The species was first listed as endangered in 1967. And in 2010, fewer than 400 individual birds were found in the wild, with only another 150 being raised in captivity.

Today, dedicated conservation programs are working hard to restore these magnificent white creatures to large portions of their remaining habitat. The primary breeding grounds for whooping cranes is in northeastern Alberta in Canada, but a reintroduced population has also started breeding in central Wisconsin. It’s here that pilots with Operation Migration flying open-wing aircraft have been retraining cranes to migrate down to Florida.

Whooping up the tourism dollars

For 10 years, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin was the home of an annual Whooping Crane Festival that attracted thousands of visitors and brought in more than $40,000 each year for the local community. A similar festival in Port Aransas, Texas, where whooping cranes spend their winters, is now in its 16^th year and is a favorite birding trip for many nature enthusiasts.

Each year 70,000 to 80,000 people visit Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, mostly during the winter, and spend significant amounts locally on lodging, gasoline and supplies. Rockport Chamber of Commerce in Texas estimates that whooping crane-related activities result in annual gross economic benefits of $6 million to the local economy.  Approximately 80,000 people also visit the Platte River area of Nebraska each year during peak of spring crane migrations, expending approximately $15 million.

Read more about the economic benefits of protecting whooping cranes in Defenders’ Conservation Pays report and in the USFWS’ Whooping Crane Recovery Plan (2006).

Thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen, authorities have closure in a case in which a female whooping crane was shot and killed.

Fish and Wildlife Service reports that Wade Bennett of Cayuga, Indiana pled guilty and was sentenced for his involvement in the shooting of a whooping crane in Vermillion County, Indiana. He and a juvenile received probation, fines and fees for their involvement in the shooting of the crane.

The slain crane was considered the most important bird in Operation Migration, the program designed to reintroduce a migrating population of whooping cranes to the eastern United States. Identified by a leg band, she was known as the “matriarch” of the reintroduction program, mothering the first whooping crane chick successfully hatched (in 2006) and fledged by reintroduced cranes raised in captivity.

In early spring 2010, a citizen came forward with information concerning the shooting of the crane that – almost a year and a half later – would prove key to helping investigators solve the mystery. Observations reported by the public play a key role in solving wildlife crime, says USFWS Special Agent Buddy Shapp. “People who live in an area notice details that can tell us a lot,” Shapp said. “They sometimes see something or hear something that strikes them as unusual but not necessarily criminal. People might not realize that their observation is significant.”

Defenders of Wildlife joined the Indiana Turn in a Poacher Program and other conservation partners in matching the original USFWS $2,500 reward, bringing the citizen reward to almost $10,000 for this key information.

“People who live in an area notice details that can tell us a lot. They sometimes see something or hear something that strikes them as unusual but not necessarily criminal. People might not realize that their observation is significant.”

Few species have been closer to the cliff of extinction than whooping cranes. In the middle of the 19th century, an estimated 1,400 of these birds were found throughout North America. But by 1942, due largely to hunting and habitat loss from farming and development, only 15 were left, and the birds had entirely disappeared east of the Mississippi. Habitat destruction is a major threat to these unique birds – the wetlands the birds rely on have been drained, filled and gobbled up from the time of the early settlers to today’s developers.

At this point in their recovery, each bird counts. Dr. John French, of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and a member of the US-Canada Whooping Crane Recovery Team said, “With fewer than 400 whooping cranes in the wild, every bird is important in our efforts to keep this species from extinction, and this particular bird was extremely valuable to the recovery program: this unnecessary killing is a setback. It is encouraging there are so many citizens across the country who continue to champion the whooping crane recovery and can help prevent this from happening again.”

Learn more:

Read the full release from Fish and Wildlife Service.

Defenders is dedicated to helping whooping crane populations recover. Read more about our efforts to bring these unique birds back to Louisiana.

The endangered whooping crane made a huge step towards recovery this week, as biologists reintroduced ten captive-bred birds to the southwest marshes of Louisiana. Guided to their new wetland homes by their crane “parents” (biologists dressed in crane costumes), these whoopers literally took their first steps towards becoming a viable wild population. The state, which has not seen a whooping crane since 1950, will now host an annually growing population of these cranes at its White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area.

The whooping crane stands at nearly five feet tall, with a wingspan of up to seven feet. These magnificent birds used to range as far as the Arctic coast (breeding grounds) to central Mexico (wintering areas). But by the mid 19^th century, whooper numbers began plummeting as they lost their homes to development and agriculture or their lives to hunters. By 1967, the whooping crane was declared an endangered species, and captive breeding programs were created to prevent complete extinction.

At White Lake, where humans once caused their disappearance, humans now can work to bring the whooping crane back to its rightful place.

Defenders has been actively involved in the process to bring whoopers back to Louisiana. Last fall, we submitted more than 23,000 comments from our supporters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and also sent local activists to meetings to support reintroduction.

Defenders in Action

Defenders has been actively involved in the process to bring whoopers back to Louisiana. Last fall, we submitted more than 23,000 comments from our supporters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and also sent local activists to meetings to support reintroduction. We emphasized the need to minimize conflict between the cranes and nearby landowners and protect cranes from any other wildlife management activities. Fortunately, our concerns were addressed, and our recommendations will be used ensure a safe and successful reintroduction.

What You Can Do

Did you know? The whooping crane gets its name from its whooping call. Click here for more information about these cool cranes.

They are the tallest birds in North America… but whooping cranes are in short supply in Louisiana. In fact, these beautiful birds—once native to the state—were eliminated from Louisiana during the last century.

Whooping cranes have been on the federal list of endangered species since March 11, 1967. Yet, they remain highly endangered.

Help return these amazing birds to Louisiana. Urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to approve a plan to re-introduce the whooping crane to their historic habitat in Louisiana.

Whooping cranes have been on the federal list of endangered species since March 11, 1967. Yet, they remain highly endangered.

There are just three wild whooping crane populations in the U.S. and a captive breeding population spread across 12 locations. No wild whooping cranes are now found in Louisiana—despite the existence of good habitat in the state for this amazing bird.

Beautiful whooping cranes could soon grace Louisiana’s skies and marshes again… but not unless caring wildlife supporters like you speak up now. Please take action now!