About the Whooping Crane Fall Reintroduction Photos: Operation Migration Getting Started Historic Times for Endangered Whooping Cranes On the brink of extinction, a flock of only 15 wild migratory Whooping cranes remained in the early 1940s. Since 2001, with ultralight aircraft leading the way, a new wild flock of migratory Whooping cranes is being reintroduced to the eastern U.S., once part of their historic range. The goal is 25 breeding pairs from 125 birds in Wisconsin by 2020. This new flock has had limited success in nesting, and the fragile migratory population still has a rocky road ahead. Thanks to the efforts of WCEP’s members, there are now 100 wild adult Whooping cranes in the new flock migrating in eastern North America. (Photo Overview) Each year, new crane chicks are raised in captivity, trained to migrate with the ultralights, and added to the new eastern flock. This year's new flock members are called the "Hatch Year 2011" birds, or the Class of 2011. We follow their story from hatching in spring 2011 to the day they complete their first fall migration at 5 to 6 months of age. How and why do the baby cranes learn to follow ultralight planes? How many of the baby cranes will survive their first year? How much will the endangered population grow with this year's addition? How many of the entire flock — hatched from 2001-2011— will survive this year? Four wild-born chicks hatched within the flock in summer 2011, but none survived past summer. The flock's only other wild-born chicks, now ages five (one bird) and one (two birds), will be migrating south this fall too. This year also brings 10 costume-raised chicks to follow experienced cranes heading south in a program called Direct Autumn Release (DAR). Our fall "Journey South" Web reports share daily migration progress as the cranes travel to their winter home in Florida. In spring, our "Journey North" updates track these cranes as they travel back to Wisconsin all on their own. Every year is an exciting new chapter in the Whooping cranes' return from the brink of extinction! * A western flock of Whooping cranes is the original, natural wild flock that migrates between Texas and Canada each year, as it has for eons. We'll follow their journey north next spring. Some are now wearing GPS tracking devices! Meet the New Cranes Make a Timeline Read Background Booklets/Slideshows Follow Daily Migration Reports Write in a Journal Map the Migration Analyze Predict and Compare   Learn About Survival Look Back at Migration History How Many Whooping Cranes Now? (Please note dates on graphs and watch for updates.) Western Flock Eastern Flock (excluding Class of 2011) Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership     Copyright 1997-2011 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.