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Whooping Crane Total Population
(As of August 30
, 2011)
Wild Populations Adult
Young  Total Adult
Pairs

Western Flock
Aransas/Wood Buffalo (AWBP) self-sustaining migratory flock

278
*
278
78

Eastern Flock
Wisconsin/Florida reintroduced migratory flock

97

18***

115
17

Florida nonmigratory

20
0
20
8
Louisiana nonmigratory 7** 17** 24 0
Rocky Mountains
0
0
0
0
Subtotal in the Wild:
 343
 71
414
103

* The Western flock (Aransas-Wood Buffalo population, or AWBP) is currently estimated at 278. In 2010, a record 74 pairs nested and fledged 49 chicks, 45 of which arrived safely at Aransas NWR for the winter. In May 2011 a record 75 nests were located on the Canadian nesting grounds. Chicks fledged in Canada in 2011 (approximately 37) are not included in this table since the size of the AWBP is not known until the cranes migrate to Aransas NWR in the fall.

** Ten juveniles were transported to White Lake, Louisiana in mid-February, 2011. Two are missing and presumed dead. The thrid was captured and had to be euthanized due to illness. Seventeen juveniles are currently being raised in captivity for release in Louisiana in fall, 2011.

***18 juveniles are currently being raised for release into the eastern migratory population: 8 for Direct Autumn Release (DAR) and 10 in the Class of 2011 group to follow the ultralight planes on fall migration.

Captive Populations
Adults
Young
Total
Breeding Pairs
About Captive Breeding        
Patuxent WRC, MD
73
2
75
15
International Crane Foundation, WI
35
2
37
11
Devonian Wildlife Conservation Center, Calgary, AB, Canada
19
0
19
6

Calgary Zoo, AB, Canada

2
0
2
0
San Antonio Zoo, TX
7
0
7
1
Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, FL
2
0
2
0
Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA
2
0
2
0
Species Survival Center, Louisiana
10
0
10
2
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, FL
2
0
2
0
Jacksonville Zoo, FL
2
0
2
0
Milwaukee County Zoo, WI
2
0
2
0
National Zoological Park, Washington D.C.
1
0
1
0
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, NC
1
0
1
0
Subtotal in Captivity:
158
4
162
36
Grand Totals
Wild + Captive
437
Adults
162
Young
599
Total
 

Chicks raised in 2011 for the eastern migratory population and Louisiana flocks are listed as wild birds.

Until the next updating of Total Populations on this page, every known death in the Eastern migratory population is reported here.


Data courtesy of Tom Stehn, Whooping Crane Recovery Team

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