Archived Exhibits: Back from the Brink - Recovering the Whooping Crane

Adult Whooping Cranes.

Wildlife conservation has a long history on the prairies, and one clear sign of success is the recent recovery of the majestic Whooping Crane (Grus americana).

During the Pleistocene (2 million to 12,000 years ago), Whooper numbers may have been as high as 10,000, but began declining thereafter as the centre of the continent dried out. In the mid-1800s, the continental population was likely close to 1500, making the species locally common but never abundant.

Declines after the mid-1800s were caused mainly by hunting, specimen collection, and habitat disturbance, and the fall was rapid. In 1941, shortly after the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established partly to protect Whooper wintering habitat, the population reached an all-time low of 22 birds. Now, after countless hours of research and restoration efforts that range from captive-rearing to training birds to follow ultralight aircraft, the Whooping Crane population has increased to more than 450 birds, including over 200 that migrate through Saskatchewan between Aransas and their nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park.

Photo Credit: © www.operationmigration.org Ultralight leading young Whooping Cranes.

Photo Credit: Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership Puppet used to feed Whooping Crane chick.

The RSM was an early player in Whooper conservation, which makes the success of these efforts even more rewarding. Fred Bradshaw, Director from 1928-1935, started a Whooping Crane Survey to find its nesting grounds, and discovered what may have been the last two nests in Saskatchewan. Fred Bard, Director from 1947-1970, continued the survey, working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Audubon Society to get the public involved in tracking this rare bird. Lorne Scott also worked to raise awareness about Whoopers through the RSM, as president of the Whooping Crane Conservation Association and as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislature.

Fred Bard showing map of Whooping Crane migration route to CBC radio interviewer.

Fred W. Lahrman painting Whooping Cranes.

Renowned dioramist Fred W. Lahrman helped to raise awareness by featuring Whoopers in paintings, and by capturing them on film. One of his photos, featuring three flying birds, was acknowledged as the “Most Outstanding Wildlife Picture of the Year” and was later used as the basis for a Canadian postage stamp.

While hunting is no longer a primary concern, the Whooping Crane is still an endangered species because of risks due to limited genetics, avian tuberculosis and other diseases, collisions with power lines, effects due to climate change, and human population growth in southern Texas. A current goal is to increase the Aransas/Wood Buffalo flock to at least 1000 birds, which happens to be the same number of cranes that brings good luck according to Japanese tradition. If the continental population is able to sustain its current growth rate of 4.5%, it will reach 1000 by the year 2022.

For further information contact the Exhibits Unit

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