whooping crane reintroduction program
Historically, whooping cranes occurred in Louisiana in both a resident, non-migratory flock as well as migratory birds that wintered in the state. Conversion of prairies to mechanized agriculture and unregulated hunting lead to the decline of this species both nationally and at the state level. By 1945, only 2 cranes remained in Louisiana. In March of 1950, the lone Louisiana crane referred to as “Mac” was captured at White Lake and transported to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the central Texas coast.
For over sixty years whooping cranes were absent from the Louisiana landscape until their reintroduction at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) located in Vermilion Parish.
February 2011, marked the beginning of the LDWF whooping crane reintroduction program with the release of 10 juvenile cranes. LDWF and project partners continue to work towards the goal of establishing a self-sustaining population in southwestern Louisiana.
For additional information or to report a crane sighting please check out our website at: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/subhome/whooping-crane.
For more information contact Sara Zimorski at 337-536-7006 or by email at szimorski@wlf.la.gov or Eva Szyszkoski at 337-536-9596 or by email at eszyszkoski@wlf.la.gov.
