The International Crane Foundation sits on roughly 250 acres outside Baraboo, Wisconsin, and holds a distinction no other place on Earth can claim: it’s the only location where visitors can see all 15 species of crane in one visit. Founded in 1973 by Cornell ornithology students Ron Sauey and George Archibald, the foundation began as a conservation research effort and grew into a globally recognized sanctuary and breeding center.
Since relocating to its current Baraboo site in 1983, the foundation has combined public education with serious science, running captive breeding and reintroduction programs that have helped pull species like the whooping crane back from the edge of extinction. Visitors walk nature trails and exhibit areas built around the birds’ care, while the organization’s conservation reach extends to partners across more than 50 countries.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
- Opened: 1973 (current Baraboo site since 1983)
- Size: about 250 acres
- Species: 15 crane species (all species found worldwide)
- Annual visitors: around 25,000
- Famous for: the only site in the world displaying all 15 crane species
A Sanctuary Built on Research
Unlike a typical zoo, the International Crane Foundation grew out of academic field research. Co-founders Ron Sauey and George Archibald set out to study and protect cranes worldwide, and George Archibald went on to pioneer captive-breeding techniques, including hand-rearing methods that helped save the whooping crane from near-extinction. The organization now maintains a staff of over 100 people and partners with specialists across five continents.
What Visitors Can See
The site’s George Archibald Welcome Center anchors a network of walking trails and outdoor exhibits where guests can observe live cranes representing every species found on Earth, from the whooping crane to the red-crowned crane. Guided and self-guided tour options, a research library, and seasonal programming round out the visitor experience on the property.
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International Crane Foundation FAQs
Where is the International Crane Foundation located?
It’s located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, on roughly 250 acres that the organization has occupied since 1983.
Can you see every species of crane there?
Yes. The International Crane Foundation is the only place in the world with live exhibits of all 15 crane species.
Who founded the International Crane Foundation?
Cornell ornithology students Ron Sauey and George Archibald founded it in 1973 to combine crane research, breeding, and conservation.
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