What can visitors see at the headquarters?

The site holds live exhibits containing every crane species alongside a research library and nature trails.

What is the primary focus of the organization?

The non-profit foundation conducts research, captive breeding, habitat restoration, and global conservation programs for cranes and their flyways.

Who founded the International Crane Foundation?

Ornithologists Ron Sauey and George W. Archibald established the institution to protect wild crane species.

Does the organization work outside the United States?

The foundation maintains international regional offices and collaborates with conservation partners across multiple continents.

Wisconsin Dells · United States

International Crane Foundation: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Field researchers split their routines between active crane pens and secluded prairie trails, trading resort-town commercialism for demanding conservation shifts.

Map of places

About the place

The sanctuary coordinates global species recovery while maintaining active breeding and field research grounds in rural Wisconsin.

The Baraboo headquarters operates captive breeding grounds, public exhibits containing every crane species, a specialized research library, and restored nature trails. International field offices across China, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa support watershed protection and migratory flyway conservation. Staff and regional partners coordinate habitat preservation and captive reintroduction across multiple continents.

Read on

Cornell ornithologists Ron Sauey and George Archibald founded the organization on a rented horse farm before relocating to the present acreage. Archibald pioneered costume rearing where handlers dress as birds to prevent captive chicks from imprinting on humans. Dedication to artificial insemination produced surviving whooping cranes, while coastal operations near Aransas National Wildlife Refuge protect wild flocks after hurricane damage.

Associations

Whooping craneArtificial insemination programs help restore critically endangered flocks.
Crane costumesHandlers disguise themselves in specialized suits to prevent chick imprinting.
Global field officesConservation teams manage flyway projects across Africa and Asia.
Extreme weather riskCoastal partner facilities face severe disruption from major hurricane events.

Facts

The foundation maintains live exhibits representing all crane species found worldwide alongside breeding pens and nature trails.
Founding director George Archibald developed costume-rearing techniques to raise chicks without human habituation.
The organization operates international branch offices across African nations and China to preserve wetland flyways.
A storm severely damaged the regional Texas operations station located near the wild flock refuge at Aransas.

Updated September 10, 2026Source: Wikipedia

International Crane Foundation: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around13

The sanctuary coordinates global species recovery while maintaining active breeding and field research grounds in rural Wisconsin.

Getting there and staying

Google reviews

Similar nearby