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Captive raised Ultra light led Whooping Crane population: Two chicks hatched in the wild in the eastern population in the 2009 nesting season. Sadly, they both disappeared before fledging. Further research is underway to determine why many pairs continue to abandon their nests and what caused the loss of the two chicks. Wild born Whooping Crane population: A second bad winter is predicted for the Wood Buffalo/ Aransas population. Sixty-two nests were recorded in 2009 and a total of fifty-two chicks hatched. However conditions on the wintering grounds are remain poor this year. Operation Migration: In the wild Whooping Cranes learn to migrate by following their parents. In an effort to establish a second wild population, captive born birds are being released into the wild. Every year since 2001 Operation Migration has taught a group of these endangered Whooping Crane chicks their migration route using ultra light aircraft. Meet the Class of 2009! The 2009 migration is now complete, and the chicks are settled into their winter grounds in Florida. Sandhill Crane migration: The Hems Family took a trip to the Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska in spring 2009 to see the breath taking spectacle of half a million Sandhill Cranes at their migration stop over on the Platte River. The sight of the cranes waking up and leaving their roost is something Jade will never forget; a truly incredible sight. Give a Whoop and help the Whoopers!