Northward Migration of Whooping Cranes Underway

Four of the wild whooping cranes that wintered at Aranasas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas have apparently started their 2,500-mile migration to northern nesting grounds in Canada, The Department of the Interior announced today

Singing and dancing courtship behavior has been observed among the remaining 24 birds and they are expected to start north soon. Whooping cranes migrate small flocks, the last usually leaving the wintering area early in May. Recent flights over the Aransas Refuge and adjoining lands disclosed only 28 whoopers compared with the 32 counted in December, 1962.