Analyzing the Whooping Crane Population Data Click graph to enlarge (numbers updated each January) How is the world's last remaining natural migratory flock of Whooping cranes doing? The population figures in the table below show the growth of this flock: the Western flock, which migrates between Canada (nesting grounds) and Texas (wintering grounds). Until 2001, these birds were the world's entire natural flock of wild migratory Whooping Cranes. In that year, experts began to reintroduce an Eastern flock. This new second flock migrates between Wisconsin (nesting grounds) and Florida (wintering grounds). Activity: Make Three Graphs Show changes in the population levels for the only natural migratory flock (the Aransas/Wood Buffalo flock, or Western flock) of this endangered species. Use the population data below to make 3 graphs: The number of Whooping Cranes per year. The increase in the number of Whooping Cranes per year. The percent increase in the number of Whooping Cranes per year. Population of Whooping Crane Natural Flock (Aransas/Wood Buffalo Flock) 1940-Present* (December Counts) Year # Cranes Year # Cranes 1940 22 1997 182 1950 34 1998 183 1960 33 1999 185 1970 56 2000 177 1980 76 2001 174 1990 146 2002 185 1991 132 2003 194 1992 136 2004 216 1993 143 2005 218 1994 133 2006 237 1995 158 2007 266 1996 160 2008 270 Deaths may occur at any time, so counts can change. Try This! Discussion or Journaling Questions After making your 3 graphs, describe the different visual picture each graph gives you. Was it helpful to graph the data in these different ways? Think about what each graph means. What different information does each graph show you? Give each graph a title. Which graph do you think is the most revealing? Are there times when the numbers appeared to increase significantly, but the percentage increase was not as pronounced? What questions did the graphs make you think of about the climb in population size? What reasons do you suppose are behind these population changes? List all the factors you can think of that might have caused the population to rise (or fall) as the data show. During which decade did the population increase at the fastest rate? Which year did it increase the most? This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2009 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.