Grus americana: The Whooping Crane

Up until 2001, only one flock of wild, migratory Whooping Cranes existed on the planet. Numbering now around 220 birds, this flock migrates annually from Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Canada to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Gulf coast. The arduous journey covers 2700 miles and takes several weeks. This flock once dwindled down to less than 20 birds in the early 1940's. In 2005, 41 adult and 23 young Whooping Cranes participated in a round-trip migration between Central Florida and Wisconsin. They were guided by a team of volunteers from the non-profit organization, Operation Migration. Progress of the annual migrations can be followed on the Operation Migration website.

The quintessential symbol of conservation, Whooping Cranes have recovered significantly within the last 65 years. Active intervention on the part of the United States government, the Canadian government, and many conservation groups and dedicated individuals helped pull this flock from the brink of extinction, so that by 2006 the Whooping Crane population numbers nearly 500 birds in the wild and in captivity.

wildlife images courtesy of Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership