ICF has constructed four, new exhibits to house the magnificent cranes of Africa.

These new exhibits – Spirit of Africa – officially opened on Saturday, June 20, 2009. These new exhibits feature larger, more natural enclosures that tell the stories of the four species of cranes native to sub-Saharan Africa and how their survival depends on conservation solutions that protect and restore wetland and grassland ecosystems shared by cranes and people.

What does this mean for your visit to ICF?  This means that you will only be able to view 14 of the world's 15 species. 

If you have any questions or concerns prior to visiting, please do not hesitate to call (608-356-9462) or email: This E-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

On June 20, 2009, the International Crane Foundation (ICF), proudly unveiled Spirit of Africa - four new, naturalistic exhibits featuring the magnificent African cranes. These new displays highlight ICF's conservation solutions to protect and restore ecosystems shared by the people and the cranes of Africa.

Wattled Cranes - denizens of the great floodplains of Southern Africa,
Crowned Cranes - revered national birds of Central and East Africa,
Blue Cranes - elegant residents of South Africa's grasslands.

Photo by Joel Sartore: www.joelsartore.com

This article, written by Naomi Klouda, is reprinted with permission from "The Homer Tribune." It highlights the work of Gary Ivey, ICF Western Crane Conservation Manager.

Kachemak Crane Watch project records changes in crane stopovers and increased eagle predation.

Of the 10 sandhill cranes fitted with satellite transmitters last year, five returned to Homer this season, lending researchers a rare glimpse into the ancient cranes' migration route.

One crane, known as No. 86836, took a shortcut across glacial fields into Canada, and then Washington state within three days – about as much time as it would take a really fast driver heading down the Alcan Highway.

Another crane is believed to have died near Gustavus last fall where its signal was last picked up. At least four other sandhills left the Sacramento Valley this spring, but probably have not returned yet to Kachemak Bay. We're not sure what happened to the four, but it's possible the batteries fitted on their satellite transmitters ran out," said Nina Faust of Kachemak Crane Watch.

When the new Spirit of Africa Exhibit opens in June at the International Crane Foundation (ICF), Baraboo, visitors will be able to view sustainable energy practices while enjoying the amazing African crane species. The new displays will feature porous pavement made of recycled glass, photovoltaic collector systems to generate enough electricity to power the entire exhibit with energy to spare, and a solar water heating system to provide winter heating for the crane holding building. Look for prairie grasses in the landscaping to reduce the need for watering and fertilization, reports Marty Sell, AIA, president of MSA-Integrated Project Delivery (MSA-IPD), Project Leader.

“All of the walking paths and observation areas in the new Africa displays are being paved with the recycled glass product,” he said. The recycled glass goes through a special process to round out the edges and transform it into a glass aggregate that is harder than stone aggregate, but not brittle. It is porous so rainwater soaks into the ground minimizing runoff and/or erosion. Therefore, no stormwater infrastructure, such as pipes or a detention pond, is required.

Congresswoman Tammy
Baldwin 

Wisconsin’s Second District

April 22, 2009

Contact: Jerilyn Goodman: 608-251-8737. Cell: 608-347-6557. Email: This E-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

On the eve of Earth Day, the House yesterday passed the Crane Conservation Act of 2009, authored by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.  The bipartisan, bicameral legislation will help protect and preserve the world’s most endangered family of birds.

The Crane Conservation Act establishes a grant program to fund international and domestic crane conservation projects and encourages the Department of Interior to seek input from individuals and organizations actively involved in crane conservation, such as the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI. 

“The work done at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo has had an impact world-wide in preserving and protecting this magnificent animal species,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “With federal support, we can expand that influence to inspire and instruct a new generation of conservationists at home and abroad.  This is the ‘Wisconsin Idea’ in action.  I’m proud to author this important legislation and delighted to see swift passage this session of Congress.  I hope the Senate takes the bill up quickly,” Baldwin said.

The International Crane (ICF) is a founding member of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, a public and private collaboration established in 2001 to reduce the likelihood of extinction for this endangered bird. Our main task is to breed and reintroduce a migratory, self-sustaining flock into the eastern United States.

With your help, over the past eight years, ICF and partners have achieved many significant milestones toward this extraordinary goal.

2001 – Since the program’s inception, aircrafts have guided the juvenile cranes from Wisconsin to Florida. They return north unassisted each spring.

2003 – With just 20 young birds in the flock, we observed the first pair bonding between cranes.

2004 – We celebrated the first nests built at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

2006 – The Midwest witnessed its first wild Whooping Crane hatching in over 100 years!

2008 – A record 11 nests (most with eggs) were found, however successful hatching was elusive.

What will we celebrate in 2009?

The experimental Whooping Crane flock nears the completion of its fall migration as the Ultralight Class of 2008 reaches Florida wintering sites at the St. Marks and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuges. The adult and 2008 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) birds are dispersed throughout the southeast with over 30 birds in Florida, a smattering of birds in Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, and 15-20 birds in Tennessee. As the cranes settle for the winter, our thoughts turn to the very important next steps in the annual Whooping Crane cycle, the spring migration back to Wisconsin and the 2009 breeding season.

Since we experienced the thrill of the first wild-hatched chick in the eastern migratory population in 2006, we have not enjoyed any further success in the recruitment of wild chicks. Indeed we were disappointed first in 2007 when all five nests of four incubating pairs (4 initial nests and 1 re-nest) failed to hatch eggs and then again in 2008 when the number of incubating pairs grew to eleven and again none hatched eggs. In the 2009 breeding season that begins in March we will be conducting two focused studies to better understand this lack of hatching success and mitigate whatever might be the cause.

Our colleague, Richard Urbanek, Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that after the nest failures in 2007, a number of explanations were proposed but none were fully consistent with the pattern of nesting failures. In 2008, one nesting pair defended their nest against a costumed observer but once the observer left, the birds ran through a willow thicket with their heads down. Black fly harassment was hypothesized to explain their behavior. Similar behavior was noted for the same pair in 2007.

With this background, Richard will test to determine whether nesting failures by Whooping Cranes are due, at least in part, to black fly attacks. Objectives of this study are to map breeding distributions of bird-feeding black flies, to document how cranes respond to black flies, screen black flies for the presence of fly-borne disease organisms, and to monitor black fly population levels in the nesting areas.

ICF’s Michael Putnam and Kelly Maguire will also pursue an investigation to better understand these nesting failures. Mike and Kelly will focus on up to six nesting pairs to test whether the birds incur negative energy balances during incubation, and if so, does the available diet in these wetlands contribute to nesting failure? In this study they will compile time budgets for nesting pairs and other birds during the pre-nesting and nesting periods in Wisconsin.

Specifically Mike and Kelly will monitor the time spent on breeding grounds before and during incubation and record time spent in obligatory behaviors (feeding and vigilance) or elective behaviors (preening or rest). Overall, they will work to determine the birds’ energy balance (are the breeding cranes getting enough food?) and the impact this balance has on nesting outcomes. Over time we hope to learn how the energetics of these nesting birds affects nesting success and what might be done to mitigate those effects.

And so with plans to learn about crane nesting biology and improve the results of an important long term project, we begin a new year. This year is certainly fraught with unknowns and economic challenges, yet it is my great pleasure, in closing, to acknowledge the new support of a local corporate partner, Epic Systems Corporation of Verona, Wisconsin. Epic is a 30-year-old business that provides advanced software for healthcare organizations to improve the quality of patient care throughout the world. Through Chief Information Officer, Tim Escher, Epic donated 16 late model desktop computers to ICF which drastically reduces the operating funds we must invest in computers during this coming year. This generous support could not come at a better time. Thank you, Tim and Epic!

George Archibald, ICF Co-founder writes on February 10, 2009:

Following  a year of combat with cancer, a friend of nature and of many people, Ellie Schiller, peacefully passed away at her beautiful home in the pine savannah of Florida. The daughter of Phil and Ethyl Felburn, Ellie helped her father manage their trucking company.   Assets from the company and her father’s estate along with personal resources were placed in the Felburn Foundation whose motto is “Preserving Nature.” Through the Foundation, Ellie helped cranes and their habitats, snow leopards, manatees and created parks for disabled children.

Ellie joined the Board of ICF in 2002 and the Felburn Foundation became a major supporter. Ellie travelled with ICF staff to experience the cranes in the wild in China, Japan and Bhutan. Her  favorite experience with cranes was at Poyang Lake, China. On a cold, misty morning she was sitting alone on a large boulder waiting for me when suddenly a flock of Siberian Cranes appeared from the fog low overhead. Their calls were soft and musical. Then as quickly as they appeared, they vanished.

Gifts from the Felburn Foundation supported the following ICF projects: studies of Sarus Cranes in India; the conservation of the White-bellied Herons in Bhutan; operational needs of Muraviovka Park, Russia and of ICF headquarters; the Felburn Wing of the Chick Isolation-rearing Facility at ICF; the Felburn Rooms of the Donnelley Family Education Center; renovations of Crane City, our on-site breeding facility; studies of Siberian Cranes at Poyang Lake; and the reintroduction of Whooping Cranes into the eastern US.

Ellie was a lady with great zest, warmth, integrity and kindness. She will be greatly missed but long remembered. 

George Archibald

Photo Caption: Ellie, Canjue Drolma  and the Potala in Lhasa Tibet.  Once Ellie taught English to Tibetan refugees in India.  She lived for seven months immersed in Tibetan culture and developed a great interest and respect for Tibetans and Buddhism.