How do people learn about endangered species such as Whooping Cranes? There are normally so few of each endangered animal or plant that they are often difficult to locate.
One exception is the wild Whooping Crane. While their total population currently numbers only about 316, they are large in size. The large white Whoopers stand about 5 feet tall and can be spotted a long way off. And due to a number of long term studies of these birds we know generally where they nest in Canada, their migration route through central USA and their wintering territory on the Texas coast.
For most people however, the very best opportunity to see wild Whooping Cranes is, on or near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Purchasing a ticket to sail on the Skimmer, or other boats takes one sailing from Port Aransas, Texas and along the Intra-Coastal Waterway. And during your boat ride the ship captains will point out Whooping Cranes and many other interesting birds and marine life. They will also explain lots about the biology of the birds of interests to many. Then if you are interested in photography or want a more customized boat ride one can link up with Kevin Sims on the Jack Flash.
The boat captains have helped much to introduce thousands of people to Whooping Cranes over the years. A few of the captains we have met are Captains Ted Appel, Tommy Moore and Kevin Sims. To view the video “Endangered Whooping Cranes” by Texas Country Reporter click on the video below.
If you are planning a trip to visit the Whoopers, you should first explore Friends of the Wild Whoopers web page and Facebook. The web page is a treasure of information concerning wild Whooping Cranes. The link is: https://friendsofthewildwhoopers.org/
http://dai.ly/x2pox51
***** FOTWW’s mission is to help preserve and protect the Aransas/Wood Buffalo
population of wild whooping cranes and their habitat. *****
Friends of the Wild Whoopers is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.
