Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP): Ten years into the project, working toward a sustainable population
The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is an international coalition of public and private groups that is reintroducing this highly imperiled species in eastern North America, part of its historic range. There are now around 100 whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America thanks to WCEP's efforts.
As part of the project, ultralight aircraft and trainer pilots have led young whooping cranes along an eastern migration route from Wisconsin to their wintering habitats at National Wildlife Refuges along Florida's Gulf Coast. After their first flight, they are familiar with the route and then return to their summering grounds in the upper Midwest on their own. Additionally, younger birds are released into the wild with older whooping cranes in Wisconsin, to learn the migration route from the older, more experienced cranes.
For information on this year's migration, potential flyover opportunities and education opportunities, visit the WCEP Web site at http://www.bringbackthecranes.org