TThe Challenges of Whooping Crane Survival
Learning From Life Histories

Why is it so hard for an endangered species to recover? The new Eastern flock provides a unique opportunity to learn about the challenges of survival. Each Whooping Crane has its own personality and life story. We've collected notes about each crane since the reintroduction project began in Fall 2001. Read about the lives of real Whooping Crane chicks and see what you can find out.

Life Histories

A Snapshot of Survival

Hatch Year 2009 Hatch Year 2008 Hatch Year 2007 Hatch Year 2006 Hatch Year 2005 Hatch Year 2004     Hatch Year 2003 Hatch Year 2002 Hatch Year 2001 All Photos Courtesy of WCEP and Operation Migration

When Will They Reach the Goal? The goal is 25 breeding pairs from 125 cranes released into the flyway by 2020. When do you predict they'll make it? How many cranes that began their first migration are are still in the flock? >> How old are the cranes in the flock now? >> How many males and females are there? >> When did the flock lose each crane? >> What happened to those that are no longer in the flock? >>

• What is your favorite story about one of the cranes? Describe.
• How many cranes did each year begin with? How many are still alive today?
• How are people helping the cranes to survive?
• According to the cranes' stories, what seems to be the most dangerous time in a crane's life?
• Does survival seem more difficult 1) on the Wisconsin breeding grounds, 2) during fall migration, 3) on the Florida wintering grounds, or 4) during spring migration?
• What happened to each of the cranes that did not survive?
• Can you find examples of ways scientists were surprised by what they learned?
• What have scientists learned about whooping crane survival since the reintroduction project began in 2001? Give specific examples.

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