The whooping crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is a cooperative conservation program aimed at reintroducing a migratory population of whooping cranes into eastern North America. The whooping crane is an endangered species that was nearly driven to extinction by habitat loss and overhunting. By the 1940s, only 21 whooping cranes remained in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now over 500 whooping cranes, but the species remains endangered. The WCEP is an important part of the ongoing efforts to reestablish a self-sustaining wild population of whooping cranes in North America to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species.
Background on the Whooping Crane
The whooping crane (Grus americana) is the tallest bird in North America, standing at over 5 feet tall, with a wingspan of 7-8 feet. They are known for their bright white plumage and loud, trumpeting calls that carry for miles. Whooping cranes are found only in North America. Historically, they nested in the prairie wetlands of the Midwest and Canada during the summer, and migrated 2,400 miles each fall to coastal marshes on the Gulf of Mexico.
By the 1940s, habitat loss, hunting, and other factors had decimated wild whooping crane populations down to just 21 birds. Thanks to strict protections and captive breeding programs spearheaded by governments, NGOs, and individuals, their numbers have slowly rebounded to over 500 birds today. However, the whooping crane remains endangered and faces continued threats from habitat loss and degradation. Reintroducing populations into areas of their historic range is crucial for ensuring the long-term recovery of the species.
The Goal of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership
The goal of the WCEP is to establish a migratory population of whooping cranes in eastern North America to amplify the resilience of the species as a whole. Having two geographically distinct self-sustaining wild populations is a crucial component of recovery for any endangered species. This provides insurance against potential threats or disasters impacting one of the populations, such as disease outbreaks, severe weather events, or habitat loss.
The WCEP aims to establish a population that follows the same migration route that eastern whooping cranes historically took each year between nesting grounds in Wisconsin and wintering grounds in Florida. Teaching young whooping cranes this migration route through successful releases and modeling will be key for creating a stable wild population over the long term.
Timeline of the Reintroduction Effort
2001: First cohort released
The WCEP is led by a coalition of government agencies, NGOs, and individuals dedicated to whooping crane conservation. Partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration, and many others. This diverse partnership began their reintroduction efforts in 2001, when the first cohort of captive-bred whooping crane chicks were released in Wisconsin to imprint on ultralight aircraft that would guide them on their first migration south to Florida. Four cranes successfully completed this pilot migration.
2002-2004: Growing the eastern migratory population
Over the next three years, project partners continued to use the ultralight aircraft-led method to guide additional juvenile cranes on their first fall migration south. In total, 52 whooping cranes were released from 2002-2004. Survival for these early releases was relatively low, but the technique showed promise for establishing the migration route in young cranes.
2005-2007: Experimenting with parent-rearing
In 2005, WCEP partners began experimenting with a new release technique called “parent-rearing.” For this method, captive whooping crane chicks are raised by adult whooping cranes that serve as foster parents, instead of humans in costumes. Once the chicks fledge (learn to fly), the whole family group is released together in Wisconsin. The hope was that the juvenile cranes would learn the migration route by following their foster parents. Over 70 whooping cranes were released through this parent-rearing method from 2005-2007.
2008-2020: Continued releases and population growth
From 2008 through 2020, project partners continued to release captive-bred whooping cranes each year using both ultralight-led and parent-rearing methods. As numbers grew, the eastern migratory population slowly became more self-sustaining. Reproduction in the wild began in 2006. As of 2020, there were over 85 nesting pairs and over 100 chicks hatched in the wild. Currently, the migratory eastern population numbers over 85 birds, covering several generations of wild-hatched cranes!
2021-present: Towards a fully wild, self-sustaining population
Releases of captive-bred juveniles are ongoing but decreasing annually as wild reproduction increases. The WCEP has accomplished its goal of establishing a migration pathway for eastern whooping cranes between Wisconsin and Florida. Now, project partners are focused intensely on monitoring wild cranes, managing habitat, boosting reproductive success, and tracking movements. The hope is that within the next decade, the eastern migratory flock will be a completely wild and self-sustaining population, no longer needing any captive-bred releases to maintain numbers!
Partners Involved in the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership
Reintroducing a species is an incredibly complex, multi-partner effort that requires tremendous coordination over many years. The diverse set of government agencies, NGOs, and individuals that have collaborated to form the WCEP each bring unique skills and knowledge to the program:
Partner Organization | Role |
---|---|
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Provides major funding, captive breeding facilities, permits and authorizations, wildlife monitoring |
U.S. Geological Survey | Research on behavior, biology, disease, and movements that informs management |
International Crane Foundation | Crane expertise, captive rearing, public education programs, land management |
Operation Migration | Ultralight-led migration training, aerial surveys |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | Habitat management, law enforcement, migrations surveys, public education |
Many state wildlife agencies | Migration monitoring, habitat management, law enforcement |
It takes immense coordination between these players to successfully breed chicks, raise them for release, guide their migrations, monitor the growing wild flock, manage habitats, and share information with the public. Thanks to this strong partnership model, the WCEP has been able to bring back wild whooping cranes after a decades-long absence. Diverse collaborations are key for effective species reintroductions and recoveries.
Habitat Needs for Whooping Cranes
Reintroducing whooping cranes is not just about releasing birds – suitable year-round habitat is absolutely crucial for the long-term survival of the species. Whooping cranes have the following key habitat needs throughout their range:
Spring and Summer Breeding Habitat
On their spring migration north and on arrival at their Wisconsin summer nesting grounds, whooping cranes need wide open wetland habitats, including:
- Shallow wetlands for nesting with good water depth (8-12 inches) and emergent vegetation
- Wetland mosaics with upland sites for foraging
- Far from human disturbance
Fall and Winter Habitat
When they migrate south in the fall to reach Florida, and overwinter in coastal habitats, whooping cranes rely on:
- Shallow wetlands for roosting
- Tidal marshes and wet prairies for foraging
- Upland sites for nesting
- Freshwater sources
All partners in the WCEP collaborate to protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats in strategic areas along the cranes’ migration flyways between Wisconsin and Florida. Ongoing habitat management is key for the cranes’ long-term survival.
Challenges Facing the Eastern Migratory Population
Reintroducing a species and establishing a new wild population is an incredibly complex undertaking that extends over decades. Some key challenges that the eastern migratory flock continues to face include:
Genetic diversity
The wild migratory flock originated from a small number of captive founders. Lack of genetic diversity could impact reproductive success and survival over time. Ongoing releases of captive-bred juveniles from diverse genetic stock helps provide an infusion of new genes into the wild.
Habitat loss
Wetland drainage and degradation remains an issue across the cranes’ range. Partners continue habitat restoration and conservation programs targeting key whooping crane sites.
Power lines
Collisions with power lines is a significant mortality source for fledgling cranes. Marking lines in high-risk areas helps reduce collisions.
Disease
A disease outbreak in the wild flock could be catastrophic. Biologists monitor the cranes closely for signs of illness and have response plans in place.
Small population size
Though growing steadily, the eastern flock is still quite small at around 100 birds. Small populations are vulnerable to extinction from illnesses, natural disasters, or other events. Continued population growth and habitat management are needed.
Successes of the Reintroduction So Far
Despite the challenges, the first two decades of the WCEP reintroduction effort can be considered a remarkable success story for whooping crane conservation overall:
- Over 150 captive-bred whooping cranes released and migration route established
- First wild-hatched chick fledged in 2006, 100+ wild chicks since
- No whooping cranes existed in eastern U.S. in 2001, now over 85 birds in the wild flock
- Multiple generations of wild-reproduced cranes migrating the route
- Public engagement in tracking migration each year
- Expanded awareness of imperiled species issues
- Crucial learning for all species reintroductions in the future
This project has succeeded in returning a piece of Wisconsin’s lost biodiversity and rebuilding part of our historic eastern crane migration. The habits and movements of wild whooping cranes will continue to be monitored closely by biologists as the population hopefully continues to expand into the future.
Conclusion
The whooping crane Eastern Partnership has made tremendous progress toward its goal of reestablishing a migratory population of whooping cranes in eastern North America after the species was nearly eliminated from the wild in the 20th century. Through tremendous collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, captive breeding centers, researchers, and individuals, the foundations of an eastern migratory flock are now in place.
There is still much work left to be done to grow the wild population, manage habitats, boost reproduction, and track the cranes closely. But after two decades of effort, the existence of over 85 wild whooping cranes migrating between Wisconsin and Florida each year is a testament to the power of ambitious, well-coordinated conservation programs. With continued innovation, dedication, habitat protections, and research, the future of this iconic species in eastern North America is looking brighter. The whooping crane comeback story is an inspiration and a model for collaborative species recovery work across the globe.