description Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Overview
Established on the Texas Gulf Coast in 1937, it is the primary wintering ground for the endangered whooping crane, whose wild population recovered from fewer than 20 individuals in the mid-20th century.
help Aransas National Wildlife Refuge FAQ
Why is Aransas National Wildlife Refuge important to whooping cranes?
Aransas is the wintering home of the last naturally occurring migratory flock of whooping cranes. The birds spend the warmer breeding season around Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada.
How close did the whooping crane come to extinction?
Only 15 wild whooping cranes remained in 1941. Aransas subsequently became a focal point of the international effort to recover the species.
When can visitors see whooping cranes at Aransas?
The cranes use the Texas Gulf Coast primarily during winter before migrating north in spring. Their approximately 2,500-mile route leads toward nesting territory in Canada.
What else can visitors see at Aransas besides whooping cranes?
The refuge attracts more than 400 bird species and also supports alligators, coyotes, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles. It was established in 1937 as a sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife.
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