What to do if You See Whooping Cranes

Should you be fortunate enough to encounter these birds, use extreme caution in observing the cranes and do not attempt to approach them.

If you have observed whooping cranes, click here to report your sighting.

Joe Duff, the project's lead ultralight pilot, said it best during a recent interview: "Although we took special precautions to ensure these birds were reared in isolation from human contact they are still far from wild. That return to nature will take place over the next few months but could be destroyed by one curious onlooker. Despite good intentions the best thing an observer could do for these birds and this project is to observe from a distance and report their location to (your local department of natural resources) wildlife officials. The worst thing you could do is attempt to feed them."

Each exposure lessens the whooping cranes’ natural fear of humans, which is an important survival mechanism. Feeding the whooping cranes can result in the birds becoming dependent on humans as a source of food. Both would negate the many long hours biologists, veterinarians, pilots and volunteers endured hot costumes and silence while raising and caring for these whooping cranes over the past year.

You should contact your local Department of Natural Resources office to report your sighting or go here.

Whooping cranes are reclusive birds by nature and tend to shy away from humans. As the population of this reintroduced flock increases gradually, over the next few years, it is expected that sightings of these rare cranes will become more common; especially in the areas of their summer and winter homes, as well as in the flyway during migration.

Until the whooping crane migratory flock becomes well established, interested citizens can best show their support by respecting the delicate balance in which this flock must survive and getting their updates through this website or one of the project partners' websites.

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Last updated: August 20, 2009