Whooping Crane Chick Hatches on Public Display at the International Crane Foundation
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Whooping Crane Chick Hatches on Public Display at the International Crane Foundation
Originally published 2005-06-22

Release Date: June 22, 2005
Contact: Ann Burke - International Crane Foundation 608-356-9462 x 147

The International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin is proud to announce that for the first time in its 31 year history, a Whooping Crane chick has hatched on public display. The last time a Whooping Crane chick hatched to parents on public display was 61 years ago at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana.

"This event marks a milestone," said Kelly Maguire, staff Aviculturist. "Previously, the public was only able to see Whooping Crane chicks being reared by humans. This hatching is a culmination of years of intensive husbandry efforts at ICF including forming breeding pairs, obtaining fertile eggs, and rearing young chicks successfully.

"In 2004, the Whooping Crane pair in the ICF Wetland Exhibit - Omega (9 year old male) and Seurat (6 year old female) - raised a Sandhill Crane chick. They were such excellent parents we felt comfortable giving them a Whooping Crane chick to raise this year."

On Friday, June 17, 2005, Omega and Seurat, who had been faithfully incubating a wooden dummy egg, were given a hatching egg that had been laid by another Whooping Crane pair. Omega and Seurat were chosen as surrogate parents.

On June 18, the golden brown Whooping Crane chick hatched. The bird is 6 inches tall and weighs 150 grams. A blood test will be used to determine the chick's sex after 14 days of age. The public can view the parents and chick in the wetland exhibit from 9 am -5 pm, seven days a week. Guided tours of the world's cranes are at 10 am, 1 and 3 am. Self guided tours are also available. Admission fees are: Adults: $8.50, Seniors: $7.00, Children: $4.00.

Eight of thirteen adult Whooping Crane females at ICF laid 40 eggs in 2005. To learn more about these eggs and the ICF programs contributing to the conservation of the endangered Whooping Crane, visit the ICF website: www.savingcranes.org.
 
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