Whooping cranes are graceful, expressive and curious creatures. With the help of conservation science, these endangered treasures of North America are flying back from the brink of extinction. Get acquainted with these big, beautiful birds in this Q A with Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute keeper Chris Crowe. STORY: https://s.si.edu/3uSRjda. | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Here’s a short video of the whooping crane juveniles shortly after they were released from the top-netted pen last week! They explored the open pen for a while before a few of them took off, landing in the open marsh. All seven have remained around the pen so far. | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries - Whooping Cranes

🐣 WATCH as an Endangered Whooping Crane egg hatches at our headquarters in this time-lapse video. Welcome to the world, Whooping Crane chick #13-435 aka "Petrie," named after the "Land Before Time" animation character. Each year, we have a naming theme for our chicks—and you guessed it—this year's theme is dinosaurs! We currently have 11 Whooping Crane chicks at our headquarters this year. Adult cranes are rearing four, while the other seven are being cared for by our costumed staff. One of our