Whooping Crane Captive Propagation

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In 1989, the world's only captive whooping crane flock, housed at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, was subdivided and a portion of the flock shipped to the International Crane Foundation (ICF). The purpose of the move was to provide protection against a catastrophic event that could destroy the only captive flock, and to add to the recovery efforts the avicultural expertise of the Foundation. The objective of this agreement is to recover the whooping crane, to establish additional self-sustaining populations in North America, and thereby to maintain biological diversity, environmental stability, and quality of life for mankind. Intent is to award to ICF without competition. ICF is especially suited to perform in the role of whooping crane captive propagation due to prior expertise and assistance and a portion of the flock is housed at their facility. They are dedicated to conservation of the world's crane species and have trained personnel in aviculture, avian heath care, and rearing of cranes for release in the wild. Substantial involvement on the part of the Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. In particular, the Service will be responsible for collaborating and cooperating on issues such as: selecting what birds are most genetically suitable for pairing in captivity, what birds will be suitable for wild release, and what birds are surplus to the captive sites and can be shipped to zoos; deciding on research needs and resolving rearing and health problems; disposition of skins and carcasses of mortalities; planning receipt of wild eggs, selecting rearing methods and pairing and breeding techniques.

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