Project Design

Below are links to various aspects of the project design including the Project Protocol and subsequent changes to the protocol.

Photo by Richard Urbanek Two whooping cranes (notice the leg bands) stand in the foreground and two sandhill cranes are behind them.

Initial Project Design

Protocol for Whooping Crane Reintroduction Project (2001) - methods and techniques used to rear and reintroduce whooping cranes.

Final Environmental Assessment (June 2001):  Proposed Reintroduction of a Migratory Flock of Whooping Cranes in the Eastern United States

Map of the initial spring migration path and the Nonessential Experimental Population Area

Subsequent Changes to Project Design

New Fall Route - 2008

Winter Site Decision for the "Class of 2008" - Feb. 7, 2008 Statement

Swap of Eggs at Wild Whooping Crane Nest in Wisconsin - June 12, 2007 Statement

Wisconsin Whooping Crane Management Plan (December 2006)

Direct Autumn Release: an alternative technique for reintroducing young cranes that we are using in addition to ultralight-led migration.

Project Information

Whooping Crane Calls and Vocalizations - an important component of the reintroduction project.

Video From the Whooping Crane Migration Team

Project Information (Fact Sheets, Images, Sound Files, Videos)

Fact Sheets about the Project Design

Facts about the Migratory Whooping Crane Reintroduction Project

Questions and Answers About the Whooping Crane Reintroduction

2002 Whooping Crane Return Flight-Questions and Answers 

Project Roles

Operation Migration, Inc. trains the young whooping cranes to follow behind ultralight aircraft. The Operation Migration pilots then lead the whooping cranes on their first fall migration to Florida. Operation Migration's website has daily journals of the spring and summer training work and the fall ultralight-led migration as well as wonderful photos and information about how you can contribute to the project.

Biologists with the International Crane Foundation track wild whooping cranes that were reintroduced during previous years. The ICF website has journal entries from the crane trackers, information on all species of cranes, and lots of pages for kids, educators, interpreters, and naturalists.

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is where the whooping crane chicks are hatched and reared before they are flown to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.  Patuxent's website provides photos and information about the whooping crane captive rearing process.  Video and vocalizations are available on their website.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is the summer home and training area for each new cohort of whooping cranes. And their Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge is the flock's wintering area.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources led development and maintains a comprehensive statewide management plan for the eastern migratory whooping crane population. The DNR contributes to the development of monitoring plans and activities, and works with WCEP partners to identify project data needs and priorities. DNR staff - including a full-time biologist who coordinates whooping crane activities - help monitor, collect and manage whooping crane data in Wisconsin. The DNR also coordinates with landowners to protect crane habitat on private, county and state lands; contributes veterinary care for Wisconsin's wild cranes; and helps with other crane health needs by being on the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act. They provided the legal framework for the reintroduction by establishing a Nonessential Experimental Population Area and preparing an Environmental Impact Statement on that designation.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center provides health checks and other veterinary services for the project.

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