New Record: Over 47,000 estimated sandhill cranes now in Sulphur Springs, Gila River Valleys Record Number of Sandhill Cranes Now in Sulphur Springs, Gila River Valleys (Source: Arizona Game and Fish) By KOLD News 13 Staff | January 14, 2021 at 11:40 AM MST - Updated January 14 at 11:40 AM
WILLCOX, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Arizona Game and Fish Department estimates more than 47,401 migratory sandhill cranes are now in the Sulphur Springs and Gila River valleys, surpassing the previous record of approximately 40,000 set in 2010.
The largest concentration of 25,734 is at AZGFD’s Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal. The Willcox Playa area has 17,938 cranes; the Safford Valley/Duncan, 2,324; Rodeo/Portal; 820; Bonita, 585.