Eastern migratory population:

In addition to three renests on the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (one of which unfortunately failed), a fourth renest was recently discovered north of the refuge by a volunteer with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

Captive population:

ICF and the other captive breeding centers—U.S.G.S. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Calgary Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, and the Audubon Species Survival Center are in full swing producing whooping crane eggs/chicks for this year’s DAR (Direct Autumn Release) and ultralight-led reintroductions.  

Whooping crane chicks for the ultralight-led program are hatched at the U.S.G.S. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.  They currently have 14 chicks (some of these cranes may remain in captivity as genetic holdbacks).  The chicks for the DAR program are hatched at ICF.  We are expecting our first whooping crane chick to hatch around May 26.

Update by Joan Garland, ICF Education Outreach Coordinator/WCEP Communications & Outreach Team Co-chair.