Initiative: Species Reintroduction

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In May 2019, researchers at the International Crane Foundation documented a pair of female Whooping Cranes nesting and incubating eggs at McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area in Marathon County, Wisconsin. This observation, while exciting, was not necessarily unique as many birds, including chinstrap penguins, greater flamingoes, zebra finches, bearded vultures, and even Black-necked Cranes, have been known to exhibit same-sex pairing behaviors.

Initiative: Species Reintroduction

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“This is the story of the last of the western population of Siberian Cranes, a group discovered by Dr. Ali Ashtiani in 1978. They numbered 12-14 cranes and inhabited a wetland complex where local people trapped wild ducks and geese.

Initiative: Species Reintroduction

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Since 2014, European zoos, particularly Brno Zoo and the Environmental Educational Centre of the Czech Republic, have cooperated with the Station for the Reintroduction of Rare Bird Species at the Khingansky State Nature Reserve in Far East Russia to return Red-crowned and White-naped Cranes to the wild.

The combined wild populations of two iconic Asian crane species – the Endangered Red-crowned Crane and Vulnerable White-naped Crane – are less than 10,000 birds. Because of the precarious situation of these wild populations, the world’s zoos have established conservation populations for both species. Within the European Association of Zoological Gardens and Aquaria (EAZA), both species fall into the Ex-situ Programme (EEP), formerly known as the European Endangered Species Programme, which establishes population management programs for selected species. One of the Program’s goals is to have a large enough captive population, if necessary, to return birds to the wild.

Initiative: Species Reintroduction

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During the past three decades, Terry and Mary Kohler have been lead supporters of the International Crane Foundation. On September 20, 2016, Terry peacefully passed away at their home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He was a pillar in conservation.

Initiative: Species Reintroduction

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Among the many interesting activities I was involved in during my experience with ICF, traveling to Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to examine a Direct Autumn Release (DAR) Whooping Crane chick was a highlight.