Reintroduction of the Whooping Crane Eastern Flock
Ultralight-led Fall Migrations
2001-2011
 
Photo Operation Migration
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Year 1
Fall 2001
Map/Story
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Year 2
Fall 2002

Map/Story
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Year 3
Fall 2003
Map/Story 
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Year 4
Fall 2004
Map/Story 
Year 5
Fall 2005
Map/Story
Year 6
Fall 2006
Map/Story
Year 7
Fall 2007
Map/Story
Year 8
Fall 2008
Map/Story
     
Year 9
Fall 2009
Map/Story
Year 10
Fall 2010
Map/Story
Year 11
Fall 2011
Map/Story

Following Ultralight Airplanes to Learn the Route

A new wild flock of Whooping cranes is being reintroduced to the eastern United States, where whoopers had not flown for over a century. Our fall "Journey South" features have documented these migrations day-by-day since the reintroduction began in Fall 2001— with ultralight aircraft leading the way. The goal is a flock of 125 birds in Wisconsin by 2020, including 25 nesting pairs.  Follow the links and maps to read migration history-in-the-making as humans help to save this endangered species.

Each year, a "class" of new captive-bred chicks is added to the flock. Each year, Journey South tells the story of their first migration.