Learn to migrate
by following ultralight airplanes

Group 1 chicks are captive-born.

Crane #901

Crane #903

Crane #904

Crane #905

Crane #906

Crane #907

Crane #908

Crane #910

Crane #911

Crane #912

Crane #913

Crane #914

Crane #915

Crane #918

Crane #919

Crane #924

Crane #925

Crane #926

Crane #927

Crane #929

Learn to migrate by following older cranes in the flock

Group 2 chicks are also captive-born. In fall the chicks are released in the company of older cranes from whom the young birds learn the migration route in a program called
Direct Autumn Release (DAR).

Report courtesy Sara Zimorski, ICF:

On July 21, 2009, 11 Whooping Crane chicks were transferred from ICF to the nearb Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to make up the 2009 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) cohort. The DAR birds are initially isolation-reared at ICF and then at the Necedah NWR until the fall. All the chicks were wary of all the new sounds of bird life in the marsh, but adjusted well to the beauty of nature on the refuge. In September or October they are released on or near the refuge with older Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes, from whom they learn the migration route.

DAR 32-09 (F)

DAR 35-09 (F)

DAR 36-09 (F)

DAR 37-09 (F)

DAR 38-09 (M)

DAR 40-09 (F)

DAR 41-09 (M)

DAR 42-09 (F)

DAR 33-09 was killed by a predator in August.
DAR 39-09 was moved to a zoo before migration.

Learn to migrate by following their parents

Group 3 chicks are wild-born. Their parents raise them and teach them to migrate. This is the natural way cranes learn to migrate. One day, the flock will be large enough for wild-born parents to take over. Then human-assisted migration will no longer be needed. Scientists hope to reach their goal of 25 breeding pairs from 125 birds in Wisconsin by 2020.

For 2009: Zero Chicks

Sadly, both wild-born chicks had disappeared by July 15.

Summer 2009 Nesting Results