Whooping Crane Walt Sturgeon Walter Sturgeon has raised cranes for more than 30 years and has 50 birds in his private collection — including seven species. He is REALLY experienced at handling cranes! The 2011 migration will be Walter's eighth year as a welcome volunteer and leader of the ground crew. Walt is retired Assistant Director of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. He was a nuclear scientist for 38 years before that! He also leads winter excursions for birders to places as far as the Arctic and Patagonia. Only 21 Whooping cranes were left on Earth in the year Walt was born (1941). His dedication has helped to bring them back from the brink of extinction! Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Facebook Pinterest Twitter © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.