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August 2, 2011
Media contact:
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, 608-356-9462 ext. 147
 The Amur region of Far East Russia is an important nesting ground for the endangered Red-crowned Crane that totals about 2,700 in the wild. Since the early 1990s, the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and colleagues in Japan have helped Dr. Sergei Smirenski establish Russia's first private nature reserve, Muraviovka Park, located on the lowlands of the Amur River not far from the major city, Blagoveshehensk. The Park stands as a model for sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation as it combines organic farming, summer camps for environmental education, and field conservation.
On June 29, 2011, Oka and Kivili, Muraviovka Park’s captive Red-crowned Crane pair, hatched their first chick! The chick, Tamaki, named after Dr. Tamaki Kitagawa, an ornithologist who has studied Red-crowned Cranes since 1972, will be a part of an on-going reintroduction program to help save this endangered species. Since March of this year, Dr. Kitagawa, has observed White-naped and Red-crowned Cranes in Muraviovka Park and reports 14 pairs of White-naped and 3 pairs of Red-crowned with chicks in the Park. The lack of fire and excellent water levels have contributed to this remarkable success.
Muraviovka Park provides excellent habitat for more than 200 species of birds. The park serves as a test plot for new strategies of ecosystem conservation, environmental education and sustainable development that will benefit both people and wildlife. Since 1993, when the park was established, numbers of endangered Red-crowned, White-naped and Hooded Cranes, and Oriental White Storks have increased three-fold. Hundreds of local children and teachers have participated in summer camps and become strong allies of the park.
Learn more about ICF’s international crane conservation work at its’ world headquarters in Baraboo, WI. ICF is open daily April 15 - October 31, 9AM - 5PM and is located at E11376 Shady Lane Road between Baraboo and the Dells, 608-356-9462 ext. 121. Learn more about ICF's work in the Amur-Heilong River basin in east Asia.
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