BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Whooping cranes are listed as an endangered species in the United States, which means they are protected because of their low population.

“So last year we actually set a record high number on the wintering ground survey of 557 individuals. And so, that’s up the highest recorded population level ever recorded during that survey. And that survey is done down on the coast of Texas,” said John Palarski, NDGF migratory game bird management supervisor.

Whooping cranes will start showing up in North Dakota sometime in October and stay as long as the weather allows.

“Nearly all of the whooping cranes in the population in that Wood Buffalo population are migrating through North Dakota. And it’s a really important stopover site, both in the fall and also in the spring whoo

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