The Amazing Story of How the Whooping Crane Defeated Extinction

The Whooping Crane is an iconic species, which has a fascinating story of its decline and recovery.
You can learn more about crane conservation here: savingcranes.org
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Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps
www.sdakotabirds.com/index.ht...
Photo at 4:36 by U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region
www.flickr.com/photos/forests...
Photo at 10:12 by USFWS Midwest Region
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Background of cover image by K. Walker (Public Domain, edited)
Whooping Crane in cover image by CheepShot (CC by 2.0, edited)
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Other images are public domain and some screen shots were taken online
#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

Very interesting and informative video. I remember that when I was a child I had read about this species on the verge of extinction. It's good to hear that they are recovering it with a lot of effort.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolshannon6449]

What a GREAT video. I feel hopeful for birds! And very grateful to the clever, determined efforts of the people who did the work,.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad you liked it so much!

[@jonathanroberts-bj7yl]

One of the rarest Cranes still around.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

I would have to agree. Slowly getting less so!

[@jackiecoyote]

This is a great video! I hope to see these birds in the wild sometime. For other endangered bird species, maybe a video on Red-cockaded woodpeckers?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

That’s a great idea!

[@Beryllahawk]

What a success story! I didn't know the puppet feeding technique was invented for whooping cranes, but I do know it's still used for other species sometimes. I remember seeing someone using a hand puppet shaped like an adult condor to feed an orphaned chick. I had heard, long ago, that golden eagles were having some trouble too, and that a program in the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas had seen great success in helping them recover. In fact, hearing about that is why I got my first "birding" book - really a coloring book but I still have that thing, heh I really liked this! It's wonderful to learn the ways in which us humans are helping birds instead of messing everything up for them.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@moongirl9785]

Fresh out of college, I did an internship at the International Crane Foundation in the Fall of 1990. Great place with great people doing great work.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We hope to collaborate with them in the future!

[@user-qw5pm6lr9d]

That was awesome! I hope you had a great birthday, Derek.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thank you, buddy! It was a good day! -Derek

[@ianelliott518]

Kirtlands warbler please

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You got it, boss

[@jago76]

Nixon actually signed not only the Endangered Species Act, but also the Environmental Protection Agency Act. Todays anti-environment Republican Party should return to a pro environment policy!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

In all my research the sources like to point out that it’s unclear whether Nixon believed it was important to care for the environment or if he just wanted to do whatever it took to get re-elected lol

[@sierrapeaks]

Yeah, i'm Republican and my family has always been. I don't know why the party moved from responsible management and conserving resources to "burn everything to the ground for a shopping mall" with regards to the environment. It leaves you wondering who to vote for sometimes

[@jago76]

@@BadgerlandBirding Yes, I've heard this. But, back in the day, there were many pro-environment Republicans. Today they're as rare as an Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

[@jago76]

@@garymeredith2441 I agree. There are many Republicans who are true conservationists. Unfortunately, the Republican Party has taken an anti-environment policy and opposes almost every pro-environment legislation..

[@staufferfamily9629]

This is such a great story. Thank you for sharing it! No doubt this example will continue to inspire future conservationists to find ways to help as many birds and animals as possible. 👍🙂👍

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brighteyedbirding]

Awesome video! It's amazing how the Whooping Crane population was able to bounce back. Hopefully we can continue to help birds in decline make a comeback deep into the future.

[@oldairyheir]

I had the pleasure and honor to be able to volunteer in a small way with Operation Migration, the group that led young Whooping Cranes by ultralight aircraft from Wisconsin to Florida. I still go back to Wisconsin occasionally just to be able to see these beautiful birds.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

That’s awesome! Thanks so much for your contribution!

[@sierrapeaks]

The Ivory Billed Woodpecker is alive, i have faith

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We can hope

[@OrnithologyInsights]

Really sad to see such a high number of birds extinct/endangered. I really hope conservation efforts can save the remaining bird species.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Agreed

[@xoguy]

birbs from green cheek conure to crane aaah

[@BadgerlandBirding]

What? Lol

[@raphlvlogs271]

there is no clean cut between migratory and resident birds a lot of species are half way in between those

[@Scottsquatch]

Was that Canadian wild fire in 1854 or 1954?

[@BookwormSkates]

I don’t think they had helicopters in the 1850s

[@Scottsquatch]

@@BookwormSkates Right, in the video though it sounds like he says 1854.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@Scottsquatch should be 1954