Jan 27, 2014
Travels with George: Florida 2014
Late Sunday afternoon of January 5, 2014, while Baraboo was in the grips of an extremely cold winter, I had the privilege of meeting my friends and conservationists, Colin and Anne Phipps, near Tallahassee, Florida. We were waiting, in company with about 40 others, for a pair of Whooping Cranes to land beside a large pond in a cow pasture near balmy Tallahassee.
Jan 15, 2014
Reward Offered for Whooping Cranes Shot in Western Kentucky
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has announced the November 2013 deaths of two Whooping Cranes (pair 33-07 and 05-09) in Kentucky. The death of the cranes is likely due to illegal shooting.
Jan 06, 2014
Travels with George: North Korea 2013
In late November, I traveled to the Hermit Kingdom (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – DPRK) to provide ICF support for the work of my excellent colleagues at the State Academy of Sciences and the farmers at two important wintering sites for Red-crowned Cranes.
Dec 18, 2013
Notes from the President
Wow, what a time we had! From Heather Henson’s thrilling Celebration of Flight, to Dr. Jane Goodall’s inspiring words for the conservation leaders of tomorrow, our 40th Anniversary Gala stirred the heart. Whether you joined us in Milwaukee, or in spirit, each of you — our sponsors, members, supporters, and partners — made possible the wonderful achievements we honored.
Dec 12, 2013
ICF Co-founder Awarded the Order of Canada
Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation’s Co-founder, will be awarded the Order of Canada on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada, Archibald is being recognized for his visionary leadership in international conservation efforts over the past 40 years.
Dec 12, 2013
Travels with George: Thailand Fall 2013
Mid-morning, November 25, Thai colleagues and I are observing a pair of yearling Eastern Sarus Cranes digging and swallowing large sedge tubers from a harvested rice paddy near the Jorakae Non-hunting Area. To farmers, the sedges are weeds and thus killed by herbicides. So perhaps the cranes are, in a small way, helping the farmers. Suddenly an elderly man appeared riding a bicycle along the dirt road. His name was Mr. Nhu Pogang, and he has been a resident of this area for all of his 83 years. In his youth, the region was mostly forested with open wetlands in low-lying areas and cranes were common.
Dec 06, 2013
The EWT and ICF Celebrate 40 Years of Saving Cranes and Communities
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the International Crane Foundation (ICF), who have been cross-continental partners since 1994, both celebrated 40 years of pioneering conservation action in 2013. The EWT’s African Crane Conservation Programme (EWT-ACCP) and the ICF formalized their working arrangement in 2006, and since then the partnership has gone on to deliver real and positive impacts on the status of cranes and communities across the African continent.
Dec 03, 2013
North American Crane Workshop April 14-18, 2014
The 13th North American Crane Workshop will be held April 14-18, 2014 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the Hotel Acadiana. The Workshop will include two full days of presentations and one day of field trips to the spectacular Louisiana wetlands. The call for abstracts and registration are now open.
Nov 21, 2013
Travels with George: Bhutan Fall 2013
Since late October, the numbers of Black-necked Cranes in the Phobjika Valley, Bhutan have increased as more birds made their migration over the Himalayas. By November 11, the date of the Fourth King’s Birthday and of the Crane Festival within the courtyard of the Gangtey Gompa (16th century Buddhist temple), there were 262. When I returned on November 19, there were about 350, about 10 percent of which were juveniles, an indication that all is well on the breeding grounds in Tibet. More cranes are expected. Last winter the highest count in the valley was 368. This winter we hope the number exceeds 400!
Nov 18, 2013
Young Whooping Cranes Begin Fall Migration
Nineteen young Whooping Cranes are winging their way south on their first fall migration. This is the 13th group of birds to take part in the project led by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), a coalition of public and private groups that is reintroducing this highly imperiled species in eastern North America, part of its historic range.