Whooping Crane family at the ICF Amoco Whooping Crane Exhibit. Photo by ICF staff
Back from the brink, North America’s Whooping Crane is a symbol of hope for endangered species. Recovering from a low of only 22 birds in the wild in the 1940s to around 599 birds today (captive and wild), the Whooping Crane’s recovery is one of conservation’s most inspiring success stories.
ICF is committed to two vital Whooping Crane conservation programs: breeding and reintroducing Whooping Cranes along the eastern flyway from the upper Midwest to southeastern states, and protecting essential wintering habitat in the Guadalupe River basin of Texas for the world’s last self-sustaining population.
Visit George & Tex, our exhibit highlighting ICF's pioneering work to save the Whooping Crane. The exhibit is on display through May 2012 at our world headquarters in Wisconsin. Click here for a preview or click on the link below to view the exhibit video.
Step 1. Raising Cranes Through captive breeding ICF produces ten to 20 Whooping Crane chicks each spring for reintroduction and genetic management.
Step 2. Into the Wild ICF and our partners are returning Whooping Cranes to the wild through Direct Autumn Release, ultralight-led migration, and other reintroduction methods.
Step 3. Healthy Birds ICF plays a key role in monitoring the health, behavior and movements of Whooping Cranes.
Step 4. Healthy Homes ICF and our partners work to protect and monitor the quality of critical ecosystems used by the Whooping Crane.
Step 5. Sharing Their Story The Whooping Crane's survival is dependent on the actions of people. ICF shares their story and inspires people to work together to ensure a future that includes the call of the Whooping Crane.