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Author: Sara

Christmas Trees Benefit Crane Conservation

The fruit cake is finally gone, the ornaments have all been packed away, and the Christmas tree now lies on the curb. The holiday season has past, but for ICF’s Crane Conservation Department (CCD) this means it’s time to start early preparations for our upcoming breeding season!!

Every year during the 2-3 weeks following Christmas, CCD staff hooks up the truck and trailer and heads into Baraboo to collect upwards of 70 Christmas trees to be used as capture corners during the breeding season. This year, we were fortunate to have the added assistance from the Village of West Baraboo Public Works Department, who graciously offered to deliver the trees they collected to our site!

Wildlife Agency Urges Crane Spectators to Maintain Distance

As a pair of Whooping Cranes remains in North Carolina’s Clay County, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service urges spectators to maintain their distance in order to not spook the cranes and reduce their familiarity with humans.

“These cranes are among the rarest animals on the planet. In our efforts to recover this species, I can’t stress enough how important it is for people to give the birds the space they need to feel comfortable and go peacefully about their daily lives of finding food, water, shelter, and developing the bond that will lead to successful nesting in the spring,” said Bill Brooks, a biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Whooping Crane Shot in Indiana

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is saddened to learn of the shooting of male Whooping Crane #6-05 from the eastern migratory population. Number 6-05 was found dead on December 30 near Crothersville, Indiana. He was paired with DAR (Direct Autumn Release) Whooping Crane #37-09. Number 6-05 is the eighth Whooping Crane to be senselessly shot in the past year (two were shot in the non-migratory population in Louisiana and six in the eastern migratory population).