The longest of 15 aircraft-led migrations came to a strange ending on Feb. 6, 2016. Instead of being guided the final 24 miles to their new winter home by aircraft, the Class of 2015 arrived in crates. With no decent weather ahead and not wanting to delay the migration any longer, the team felt it was the best decision. This photo journey lets you go along on the final distance with them. The young cranes will now be supervised from a distance by pilot Brooke Pennypacker until they take off on their first unaided migration north this spring. They'll now learn to forage for their own food as they slowly become wild and free. Project leader Joe Duff assures us that being trucked this short distance will not hamper their ability to navigate back to Wisconsin in the spring. The Class of 2015 is the final cohort to be taught their migration route by costumed pilots in tiny yellow airplanes. Compare this year's migration to all the others by clicking here.

The ultralight method led by Operation Migration was crucial to establishing the new flock's core population and bringing back the first cranes in the eastern flyway since the 1870s. Journey North congratulates and celebrates these dedicated individuals and other WCEP partners. Our friends at OM will be involved as the reintroduction's next chapter begins: changing techniques to see if better breeding can be encouraged.

Operation Migration