Senior Aviculturist Kyle Tainter carefully holds Siberian Crane Ranjit while Barry treats the cranes’ left leg, which has advanced arthritis.

The International Crane Foundation supports a full-time veterinary team and comprehensive health care program for our captive crane population. We have made advancements in the areas of animal husbandry and avian veterinary medicine, and in turn contributed to longer lifespans among captive cranes, here and elsewhere. With increases in age come more geriatric medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, cancer and cardiovascular disease. The most common of these issues in our captive crane population is osteoarthritis – affecting 10% of our current flock – which unfortunately has no cure.

A renovated “crane condo” – each building has an indoor house and a yard for up to two pairs housed side-by-side.

This winter we finished the fifth phase of renovations to our breeding facility Crane City. Yes, fifth – Crane City is extensive and houses around 70 birds. This multi-year effort is focusing on needed improvements to the cranes’ enclosures, including new siding and flight netting, reinforced fencing and roof repairs, and upgraded water hydrants and electrical. This past year our renovations focused on 1st Street “crane condos,” our quarantine facilities, and the construction of a new off-exhibit house for our Demoiselle Cranes.