Whooping Crane is estimated to have a lifespan in the wild of around 30 years. Whooping Cranes in captivity have lived up to 54 years old. Whoopers can live in the wild for this long, with the added benefit of not having to worry about predators or hunters. Whoopers are unlikely to be shot at when they are on captive breeding grounds. Whoopers that are likely to be hunted tend to be Whoopers that fly over hunting territories while they are migrating. Whooping Cranes that live in captivity, on the other hand, do not have to worry about predators either for this added benefit of not having to defend themselves. Whoopers do not need to defend themselves from threats in captivity, which is helpful since they are an endangered species.