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The Future for Cranes

PRESS RELEASE

June 2005

Cranes are revered in many cultures and several collections specialise in breeding these most regal of birds. They are important flagship species for conservation but, despite international efforts, more than half of the 15 species are endangered or threatened.

Wildlife Information Network (WIN), a registered UK Charity and USA Not-for-Profit organisation, collates information on the health and management of wild animals and makes it available to wildlife professionals worldwide. WIN's modules are used by conservation organisations, academic institutions and veterinarians throughout the world.

WIN plans to start detailed research on "Cranes: Health and Management" this autumn/fall and is seeking the necessary funding of £35,000 to finance the six month project. "I need to attract support from the major collections and conservation organisations. I am delighted to report that we have one organisation who has just pledged £5,000 and if, say, six more organisations pledged £5,000 each now, we would be able to start as scheduled" said Iain Boardman, CE of WIN. "Supporters could even straddle their budgets by paying £2,500 this year and a second tranché next spring," he added.

The module will cover health and management issues, breeding programmes including artificial insemination (AI) techniques, natural history and conservation status.

Dr Debra Bourne, WIN's senior editor, has a passion for cranes and interned at the International Crane Foundation, Wisconsin, USA. "We will cover all aspects of management and health care, and will particularly ensure that we include information important to those working with cranes in developing countries" said Dr Bourne. "This module will be truly international".

Any person or organisation that wishes to contribute or know more about this very important project are invited to contact Iain Boardman for a project proposal and further information.

Ends:

Issued by Wildlife Information Network, East Midland Zoological Society, Twycross

For further information please contact:

Iain Boardman: +44 (0) 1827 88 11 22 or e-mail: iboardman@wildlifeinformation.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. This is a call for support in two ways. First, in order to start this much needed project we must have pledges totalling the required £35,000 (USD$ 62,500). To date we have a firm pledge of £5,000 and another unconfirmed pledge of £5,000. The pledges will only be called down when the full amount is underwritten. The second and separate call for support is for collaboration with the collation of information, particularly from Asia, Africa and Australia. We wish to make this Wildpro module really international. Please circulate this release as widely as possible.
  2. The Wildlife Information Network (WIN) is a charity dedicated to making information on the health and management of captive and free-ranging wild animals and emerging infectious diseases available to wildlife professionals and decision-makers worldwide. WIN was set up 12 years ago by Yorkshire-born Suzanne Boardman, then a veterinarian at London Zoo who was receiving requests for information and technical support from all corners of the world. The information existed, but was fragmented and, in emerging countries, very difficult to obtain. WIN was inaugurated as a paper network of newsletters and collated information. It became a registered charity (No. 1048059) in 1995. Suzanne Boardman is now the Director of Twycross Zoo - East Midland Zoological Society and Iain Boardman is the Chief Executive of WIN.
  3. Wildpro© Multimedia is the software developed and used by WIN to provide information on the health and management of captive and free-ranging wild animals, and emerging diseases, on its Electronic Encyclopaedia and Library. It is a living document, with new information being added constantly through the development of new modules. It is researched, developed and published by WIN to provide information to decision-makers worldwide, and users include wildlife managers, researchers, government officials, veterinarians, field biologists, zoologists, laboratory diagnosticians, zoological collections, conservation and welfare organisations, universities, and students of a wide variety of disciplines. Information is made available on the Internet and by CD-ROMs.

    Other WIN Internet modules and CD-ROMs that are currently available:
    • Waterfowl: Health and Management
    • Managing for Foot-and-Mouth Disease
    • Wildlife: First Aid and Care
    • West Nile Virus
    • Wildlife: Disease Investigation and Management (Birds)
    • Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Elk
    • Hedgehogs: Health and Management
    • Pain Management in Ruminants
  4. Image: East African Crowned Crane, aka Crowned Crane, Blue Necked Crane, Royal Crane, African Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum)