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What’s Your Crane Story?

One question we always ask at the International Crane Foundation is, “What’s your crane story?” People pour forth sightings from their backyard, where a family of Sandhill Cranes returns each spring. Or they traveled to Africa and witnessed a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes landing at the top of an acacia tree.

Hosting crane experiences is the most rewarding part of my job, whether it’s giving a tour of our site in Baraboo or leading a field trip to see cranes in Texas. For people to want to help save something, they need to see it; they need to fall in love with it. Let’s make sure we all have crane stories to tell years from now.

Cranes are here today because of decades of determined conservation work by the International Crane Foundation and our partners and supporters. There are many ways you can help save cranes, and donating to the International Crane Foundation is one of the best ways.

Thank you, Kate Fitzwilliams, Director of Philanthropy

We asked, “What’s your crane story?” and got some awesome responses.

Around 1974, I went with a friend to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to do some birding and hopefully see the whooping cranes. At that time, there were very few left in the country. There was a boat you could take that would go out to an area where you might see the cranes. The cost was, I think, $5 per person. We were in our early twenties and didn’t have much money. As we stood on the shore hemming and hawing over whether to pay the price, five cranes flew overhead. Our dilemma was solved! – Susan, Wisconsin

I first heard about the International Crane Foundation when I used my last personal day of teaching first graders in Park Falls to attend the WEAC-Retired Annual Meeting and Conference in Madison. One of the presenters was from ICF, something I’d never heard of before and wanted to see for myself. So, on my way home, I went a short way out of my way and fell in love! – Ginny, Wisconsin

We are huge fans of sandhill cranes, but would love to help all cranes in need. My kids chipped in to help as well. – Matt, Illinois

In the late 1980s, I was fishing with my husband at Granger Lake near Austin, Texas where I lived at the time.  Fishing was slow and I decided to take a walk through the grassy part of the county park adjacent to the lake while he continued fishing.  As I was walking through the tall grass, I came over a rise and in front of me were two HUGE white birds with red “caps” flapping their wings and dancing around.  To me, all of 5’4”, they seemed bigger than I was and I was both a little scared and enchanted. At the time, I didn’t know what a whooping crane was, nor how rare they were then.  I was transfixed and stood and watched them, maybe 50 yards in front of me, for a few minutes before they took off, probably for Aransas Pass or parts near that, since it was fall. When I described the scene to my husband, who was much more knowledgeable about birds than I at that time, he told me I’d seen a pair of rare whooping cranes and we educated ourselves even more when we got home. After that, we always followed the story of the Texas population, as well as the work at Necedah. We are both originally from Wisconsin and were very familiar with that area as well.  Those cranes have been in my heart ever since and here I am, over 40 years later, still following their incredible story. Thank you for all you do for the cranes and the other beautiful wild birds that we need to protect and nurture. – Sharon, Wisconsin

My crane story is taking a trip to Africa last year and seeing Gray Crowned Cranes foraging along with zebras, impala, wildebeest, and tsessebe. Because I had visited your center in Wisconsin, I recognized them immediately. What a thrill! This was in Hwange National Park. – Lisa, Illinois

I visited Baraboo in 2025 and I saw Sandhill cranes in Arizona two times. I just missed seeing Black-necked Cranes in Bhutan by days. I fold a crane origami daily. – Deborah, Arizona

For the crane count, I do an area that is down a road that is gated off during the spring. I called to get permission to drive past the gate for the crane count, but after several phone calls, I still could not connect with the person that I needed to talk to. Finally, the receptionist informed me that there was no chance I was going to get permission to drive down that road. I asked, “Why?”
She said: “You can’t drive down that road. We have laws against that.”
I have worked in city government, leading to my response: “What are you talking about? There is no law against me driving on that road.”
“In Minnesota we have weight regulations for roads during the spring. You can’t be driving your crane down that road during the spring!”
I responded, “I am not driving a crane, I am counting cranes, which are birds.”
I got the permission. – Steve, Minnesota

I love cranes because through George [Archibald] they have become a focus point for potential adversaries to cooperate so cranes can continue to survive. It gives you hope we can live together. – Way, Wisconsin

I was in Texas and I witnessed a rare sight. I saw a pair of cranes with TWO colts!!! We crane lovers were so excited. I feel blessed to have seen such a wonderful sight. – Veronica, Wisconsin

You can send us your crane story through our donation form below, or email us.