The International Crane Foundation (ICF), established in 1973, works to protect the world's 15 crane species. Most are endangered or vulnerable due to habitat loss, climate change, and hunting. Senior aviculturists at the Wisconsin headquarters manage daily care and chick-rearing efforts.
When natural parenting is not possible, ICF staff raise crane chicks, teaching them behaviors essential for wild survival, including avoiding humans and predators. This method addresses "imprinting," where young birds identify the first large moving object they see as their parent. To prevent chicks from imprinting on humans, staff initially used barriers during feeding.
A more effective method involved staff developing elaborate crane costumes. These outfits, initially with feathers, evolved to include detailed puppet crane heads on one arm and an empty "wing" arm. Feathers were later removed for easier laundering. Staff now wear these costumes during all interactions with chicks.
Costumed staff engage in activities such as ensuring chicks eat and drink, teaching foraging for insects, and mediating aggressive behaviors. The physical demands of wearing the costumes lead to hourly or bi-hourly rotations due to arm soreness.
Crane vocalizations are mimicked using MP3 players hidden under costumes, playing recordings of real adult cranes. Puppet heads also match the coloration of real birds; for example, whooping cranes have a red skin patch, which staff use to signal warnings to chicks. New staff typically require about a month to adapt to reacting as a crane rather than a human while in costume.
Crucial pre-release training involves teaching flight skills in a prairie setting. Staff run and flap in costume, mimicking adult "pre-flight" calls and movements, to encourage chicks to take flight and escape predators.
Currently, 10 of the 15 crane species remain threatened. However, the global population of whooping cranes has grown significantly over the past 80 years, from under 30 to over 800 individuals. The ultimate goal of the ICF is to establish self-sustaining crane populations where all youngsters are reared by real cranes, eliminating the need for costumes.