International Crane Foundation -- Bird Conservation in the Midwest

Story and photographs by Tom Straka

Roughly halfway between Chicago and Minneapolis (very close to Wisconsin Dells) is an engaging travel stop which centers on bird conservation, specifically on all 15 species of cranes worldwide. There are conservation and ecology lessons, natural outdoor exhibits with many of the crane species, and even crane-related artwork. It is the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and the interesting aspect to the visitor is the Crane Discovery Center, an introduction to all things crane. The ICF's work spans four key regions: North America, Asia, Africa, and their global headquarters in Wisconsin.

First, a little background on the ICF. It was founded in 1973 by two Cornell University ornithology graduate students who shared a passion for cranes. They envisioned an organization combining research, captive breeding and reintroduction, landscape restoration, and education to safeguard the world's crane species. The organization is headquartered near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Today they have offices and staff in China, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and Texas (aligning with the migration patterns of the world's crane populations). They are still a very active organization, as ten of the world's 15 crane species are facing extinction. The ICF's goal is to protect cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds and flyways on which they depend, while providing knowledge, leadership, and inspiration to engage people in resolving threats to cranes and their diverse landscapes.

The Crane Discovery Center sits on nearly 300 acres along with the global headquarters. It hosts a captive flock of approximately 100 cranes, including the only complete collection of all 15 species worldwide. The site, which features live crane exhibits, guided and self-guided tours, a research library, a welcome center, and four miles of nature trails, is visited by more than 25,000 people annually.

 A nearly level paved trail system moves from exhibit to exhibit. A linked nature trail system is not so level and wanders through natural areas on the property. 

Once you leave the Discovery Center building, with displays and a cool gift shop, you are on a system of paved "trails" which lead to a series of live crane displays (linked to another system of real trails which allow exploration of the local nature). While there are fences to keep the cranes in place, the enclosures are anything but zoo-like. The 300 acres allows for large natural areas for each crane species. There is plenty of signage to explain migration routes and crane particulars.  

The sarus crane ranges over Asia, from India and Nepal to Vietnam, and as far south as Australia. The total population is about 15,000 to 20,000 birds. Sarus cranes are the tallest flying birds in the world. They stand six feet tall!

The wattled crane has a range in Southern and Central Africa. Slightly more than 9,000 birds exist. Their nests can be nearly six feet wide. Wattled cranes are the most wetland-dependent of all African crane species and rely on seasonal floods to feed and breed.

The demoiselle crane breeds manly in Kazakhstan and Mongolia and winters in India and northeastern Africa. The population is roughly 200,000 birds. Demoiselle cranes are the smallest crane species and the least dependent on wetlands, preferring open grasslands. They are known for their spectacular migration over the Himalayas in Nepal, flying as high as 26,000 feet.   

The grey crowned crane is an African crane with a population of around 30,000 birds. Its "crown" is made of feathers, specially adapted to help it blend in with tall grasses and avoid predators.

There is much more along the trail besides crane enclosures, especially much artwork, crane-related, scattered among the exhibits. Plus, exhibits explaining crane behavior and some of the history of the early efforts to develop the techniques needed to work with cranes and crane populations. For example, imprinting was an early problem. This occurs in "precocial" birds (ground-nesting birds which hatch with down feathers and open eyes and the ability to leave the nest within hours of hatching; as opposed to songbirds which hatch naked and blind, and are dependent on their parents for food) where imprinting is a rapid learning process where young birds follow and identify the first large moving object they see as a parent. They quickly learn their parents' behavior and physical characteristics. Should the hatchling first see a human, that becomes the source of parental imprinting, and the bird would consider itself a human.

To solve the imprinting problem the keepers were required to wear a crane costume (white robe with head covering, a crane puppet on their hand, and parental crane call recording in their pocket). There are some interesting stories of early problems involving cranes imprinted with humans. I guess you could call them crane-human love stories.   

Displays highlight interesting crane stories, like the "love story" from the beginning of the ICF with one of its founders and Tex, a female whooping crane.

Displays also discuss important foundations of the ICF, like why it is important to save animal species from extinction. Notice the passenger pigeon (extinct) and the American bison and whooping crane (so far avoiding extinction).

When entering the site, Bill Sullivan's sculpture of a set of four of a single whooping crane taking flight greets the visitor. Above are the first two showing the beginning of flight.

Other artwork (in addition to that on the walls of the Discovery Center building) is scattered among the outdoor exhibits.

Some of the artwork is unusual. These are Buddhist prayer wheels. These are found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other countries. For many Buddhists, spinning a prayer wheel is equivalent to a spoken prayer. Cranes are revered in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.   

The red-crowned crane is one of the heaviest cranes, weighing up to 25 pounds. The range is Asia and about 3,000 birds exist. It is in trouble due to habitat destruction from diversion of water to cities and destruction of wetlands for agriculture and development. There are two distinct populations--one migrates and one does not.

The black-necked crane is Asian. About 10,000 exist. China has set aside dozens of natural nature reserves to protect the species.

The Siberian crane is critically endangered; about 4,000 still exist. It migrates between northern Siberia and South Asia. The red color on its head is actually bare skin.

The brolga ranges from Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Less than 100,000 still exist. It utilizes the same grassland where cattle graze. The name is Australian Aboriginal.

You don't have to be a "birder" to enjoy the International Crane Foundation. There is much natural history and really interesting outdoor exhibits. Plus, lots of environmental philosophy.

The Ho-Chunk people (local Native Americans) appreciated the natural pattern of the cranes and one exhibit gives the story: "In the spring, the cranes arrive home to Wisconsin, the homeland of the Ho-Chunk people. Upon their arrival, they call out, signifying that the people should get their seeds and soil prepared for the upcoming growing season. As the warm summer days turn to the colder season of fall, the cranes prepare for their migration south, and they call out again. They remind the people to gather their black ash baskets for the corn and squash harvest time."    

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