Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: DWCC

I wasn't able to get a single good photo of these guys when a few of us had the privilege of visiting the Calgary Zoo Ranch the other day. They were at the far side of their enclosure and there is only maybe a foot-wide view through the fencing (and too many photographers with long lenses, lol!) - the rest of the fence is covered so that the birds are not exposed to humans. Tremendous work is being done there to breed several very endangered species, especially the fascinating Whooping Crane. These birds are kept in enclosures and any interaction with the staff is done using white "Crane costumes". The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. Many thanks to Crane Keeper, Dwight Knapik for showing us around for the afternoon and filling us with interesting information. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Zebra. "The only remaining flock of wild Whooping Cranes, the wintering population in coastal Texas, reached a low of 15 birds in the winter of 1941-42, and hovered between the low 20s and mid 30s over the next two decades. Efforts to locate the flock's breeding grounds intensified following World War II. Evidence of breeding was first reported in 1954, when several adults and pre-fledged juveniles were observed in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) in Northwest Territories, Canada. Researchers were able to locate the first nests the following year. The inaccessibility of the breeding grounds, protection of the wintering grounds, and extensive public education campaigns have contributed to the population's increase to its current level." www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/cranes/grusamer.htm www.bringbackthecranes.org/recovery/recv2009.html#Captive www.whoopingcrane.com/FLOCKSTATUS.HTM

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a closer shot of this Sandhill Crane or one without fencing in the background when a group of us had the privilege to visit the Calgary Zoo Ranch, just south of the city, on October 8th. They were at the far side of their enclosure and there is only maybe a foot-wide view through the fencing (and too many photographers with long lenses, lol!) - the rest of the fence is covered so that exposure to human beings is reduced to an absolute minimum. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Zebra. Tremendous work is being done there to breed these endangered species, especially the fascinating Whooping Crane. These birds are kept in enclosures and any interaction with the staff is done using white "Crane costumes". The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. The Sandhill Cranes can be given Whooping Crane eggs to hatch, which seems to work very well. Many thanks to Crane Keeper, Dwight Knapik for showing us around for the afternoon and filling us with so much interesting information.

Cropped to get rid of the metal fencing, but I couldn't avoid the shadow of it. A group of us had the privilege of seeing very rare Whooping Cranes as well as Sandhill Cranes at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, also known as the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre, located about 10 kilometers south of Calgary near DeWinton. Taken on October 8th. I have seen Sandhill Cranes in the wild three or four times, but always so far in the distance. Much as I wish this bird was flying free and could be photographed in the wild, its captivity does allow us to see it in close detail. Just love their beautiful, orange eyes. Also, sometimes these Sandhill Cranes are given the rare Whooping Cranes' eggs to hatch at the Ranch, which is a very valuable service.

One of the Whooping Cranes at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, seen when a group of us had the privilege of visiting on September 25th. Tremendous work is being done there to breed several very endangered species, especially the fascinating Whooping Crane. These birds are kept in enclosures and any interaction with the staff is done using white "Crane costumes". The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. Many thanks to Crane Keeper, Dwight Knapik for showing us around for the afternoon and filling us with interesting information. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Zebra. "The only remaining flock of wild Whooping Cranes, the wintering population in coastal Texas, reached a low of 15 birds in the winter of 1941-42, and hovered between the low 20s and mid 30s over the next two decades. Efforts to locate the flock's breeding grounds intensified following World War II. Evidence of breeding was first reported in 1954, when several adults and pre-fledged juveniles were observed in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) in Northwest Territories, Canada. Researchers were able to locate the first nests the following year. The inaccessibility of the breeding grounds, protection of the wintering grounds, and extensive public education campaigns have contributed to the population's increase to its current level." www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/cranes/grusamer.htm www.bringbackthecranes.org/recovery/recv2009.html#Captive www.whoopingcrane.com/FLOCKSTATUS.HTM

This large Vancouver Island Marmot wanted to stay inside, so I wasn't able to get a good shot. The sunlight just reached his nose : ) However, I felt it was important to show it, as this is Canada's most endangered species. Seen on a special visit to the Calgary Zoo Ranch, also called the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre, on 25 September. This location, south of the city, spreads over 128 hectares of land and includes a large pond often used by migrating birds. "When a species comes to the brink of extinction, it takes the dedicated and combined effort of many individuals and institutions to rescue it. In total, 65 Vancouver Island marmot pups were born this year at four partnering facilities across Canada including the Calgary Zoo, the Toronto Zoo, Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre in Langley, B.C. and the Tony Barrett Mt. Washington Recovery Centre on Vancouver Island. The Vancouver Island marmot is listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as well as a Priority 1 Species under the British Columbia Framework. Found only on Vancouver Island, their population remains too small and fragmented to recover without intervention and assistance from captive breeding programs. Reported June 30th, 2009: "From a population low of less than 30 wild Vancouver Island Marmots in 2003, the population is expected to reach over 200 marmots in the wild by the end of this summer."

This Sandhill Crane was living in captivity at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, in an enclosure near the Whooping Cranes, just south of the city. A group of us had the privilege of visiting this place that is doing tremendous work in conservation. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Grevy's Zebra. I have been lucky enough to see three or four Sandhill Cranes in the wild, but never a Whooping Crane. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhill_Crane

One of the Whooping Cranes at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, south of the city, seen when a group of us had the privilege of visiting four days ago. Tremendous work is being done there to breed several very endangered species, especially the fascinating Whooping Crane. These birds are kept in enclosures and any interaction with the staff is done using white "Crane costumes". The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. Many thanks to Crane Keeper, Dwight Knapik, for showing us around for the afternoon and filling us with interesting information. By the way, these birds don't stay still - they are constantly on the move and are a challenge to photograph : ) In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Zebra. "The only remaining flock of wild Whooping Cranes, the wintering population in coastal Texas, reached a low of 15 birds in the winter of 1941-42, and hovered between the low 20s and mid 30s over the next two decades. Efforts to locate the flock's breeding grounds intensified following World War II. Evidence of breeding was first reported in 1954, when several adults and pre-fledged juveniles were observed in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) in Northwest Territories, Canada. Researchers were able to locate the first nests the following year. The inaccessibility of the breeding grounds, protection of the wintering grounds, and extensive public education campaigns have contributed to the population's increase to its current level." www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/cranes/grusamer.htm www.bringbackthecranes.org/recovery/recv2009.html#Captive www.whoopingcrane.com/FLOCKSTATUS.HTM

One of the Whooping Cranes at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, seen when a group of us had the privilege of visiting two days ago. Tremendous work is being done there to breed several very endangered species, especially the fascinating Whooping Crane. These birds are kept in enclosures and any interaction with the staff is done using white "Crane costumes". The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. Many thanks to Crane Keeper, Dwight Knapik for showing us around for the afternoon and filling us with interesting information. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Zebra. "The only remaining flock of wild Whooping Cranes, the wintering population in coastal Texas, reached a low of 15 birds in the winter of 1941-42, and hovered between the low 20s and mid 30s over the next two decades. Efforts to locate the flock's breeding grounds intensified following World War II. Evidence of breeding was first reported in 1954, when several adults and pre-fledged juveniles were observed in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) in Northwest Territories, Canada. Researchers were able to locate the first nests the following year. The inaccessibility of the breeding grounds, protection of the wintering grounds, and extensive public education campaigns have contributed to the population's increase to its current level." www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/cranes/grusamer.htm www.bringbackthecranes.org/recovery/recv2009.html#Captive www.whoopingcrane.com/FLOCKSTATUS.HTM