The rare migratory whooping crane, an iconic animal of the Texas Gulf Coast, may see some of its endangered species protections removed under a review proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But environmental groups say it’s far too early to change the bird’s conservation status.
Around 500 cranes currently make their way from Canada to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas every winter. This is the only wild migratory population of the cranes, the tallest and rarest birds in North America.
While the population’s numbers may seem small, the whooping crane is a conservation success story. At they're lowest point, only 15 cranes migrated from Canada to the Gulf Coast in 1941. Cranes from a separate, reintroduced flock, have also begun nesting in Texas for the first time in more than 100 years.
But that good news is not enough to warrant loosening the bird's federal protections, some conservationists say.
Biden administration considers removing whooping cranes from endangered species list
Around 500 cranes currently make their way from Canada to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas every winter. This is the only wild migratory population of the cranes, the tallest and rarest birds in North America.
While the population’s numbers may seem small, the whooping crane is a conservation success story. At they're lowest point, only 15 cranes migrated from Canada to the Gulf Coast in 1941. Cranes from a separate, reintroduced flock, have also begun nesting in Texas for the first time in more than 100 years.
But that good news is not enough to warrant loosening the bird's federal protections, some conservationists say.
Biden administration considers removing whooping cranes from endangered species list
