The International Crane Foundation has announced this spring’s first hatch of a Whooping Crane chick at its headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin. As a federally designated endangered species, the hatch of a Whooping Crane is always a significant event. The fact that it was hatched through a captive breeding program for release into the wild is further evidence of how critical such programs are to the species’ survival.
Tag: Crane Conservation
Rare Sarus Crane Chick Hatches at ICF
On Monday, August 18, 2014, a rare Sarus Crane chick named Curry, hatched at the International Crane Foundation. The parents are Majnu, a 51 year-old male who hatched in the wild in India, and Chandini, a 14 year-old female.
ICF's Sarus Cranes Contribute to Breeding Goals One Egg at a Time
Recently, we learned from the Sarus Crane Studbook keeper that Majnu, our 51 year old male Indian Sarus Crane, along with Chandini, a 12 year old female on loan to ICF from the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, are not only a good genetic pair, but there is a need for their offspring in captivity.
Visitors to ICF May See Rare Hooded Crane Chick
Wasabi, a rare Hooded Crane, hatched at the International Crane Foundation on June 6, 2014. But even before that, its journey was a colorful one. Eggs produced by ICF’s captive flock are either destined for release into the wild – like those of Whooping Cranes – or play an important role as captive breeding birds to protect wild cranes for future generations.
Egg Score Card 2014
ICF’s captive Whooping Cranes are laying eggs – breeding season is here! A tradition at ICF is to follow our “Egg Score Card,” which tracks the Whooping Crane eggs from our captive flock, as well as wild Whooping Crane nests in Wisconsin.
A Veterinary House Call to Horicon Marsh
Among the many interesting activities I was involved in during my experience with ICF, traveling to Horicon National Wildlife Refuge to examine a Direct Autumn Release Whooping Cane chick was a highlight.
The Transformation of a Red-crowned Crane
In 2011 a pair of Red-crowned Cranes kept at Muraviovka Park laid their first eggs! We had been waiting for this day for a few years. The male, Kivili, was four years old in 2008, when a one-year old female, Oka, arrived.
ICF Receives AZA Accreditation
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) announced this week that the International Crane Foundation (ICF) was granted re-accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.
“By meeting Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation Standards, the International Crane Foundation sets itself apart as one of the top zoos in the world,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “The International Crane Foundation is a leader in the care and conservation of cranes, and in educating people about the natural world.”
Whooping Crane Reintroduction Featured on Smithsonian Instagram
Have you been following Tom Lynn Photography’s project “From Hatch to Release”? Tom is Smithsonian Magazine’s Instagram guest photographer this week, and he will be sharing images of the Whooping Crane reintroduction project on their site throughout the week!
Chinese Zoo Celebrates Endangered Grey Crowned Crane
Through dance, song, artwork and drama, the Shijiazhuang Zoo in eastern China celebrated the Endangered Grey Crowned Crane last month.