Thousands gather at the 28th annual Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas [Video]

PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Thousands of people from across the world have gathered in Port Aransas for a rare opportunity to observe the endangered whooping crane during the 28th annual Whooping Crane Festival this weekend.

At five feet, whooping cranes are North America’s tallest birds, migrating thousands of miles from Canada to the Coastal Bend each winter to nest, drawing birdwatchers eager to see them.

Whooping cranes are still endangered, with around 800 worldwide and over 500 in Texas. The festival is key in raising awareness for their conservation.

Joan Garland is a training coordinator at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute and said the Whooping Crane Festival gives birdwatchers a chance to see them up close.

“Because this is the only place in the …