Yes, whooping cranes are raised in captivity on the Central Tract (where the actual research is done).
 
Here's the URL where you can learn more  http://whoopers.usgs.gov/
 
There is only one time a year that the general public has a chance to see the pens where the whooping cranes are raised as young and hear about the whooping crane program. That's why hearing the cranes from the South Tract is so special to me. 
 
Be sure to pan to attend the
 
Patuxent Wildlife Festival
Saturday, October 14
10 AM ? 3 PM 
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and Earth Science Week!
Enjoy live animals, kid?s crafts and
behind-the-scenes research tours of the
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
 
and sign up for the tour.
 
Marcy


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Hartman <>
To: Marcy Stutzman <>
Cc: 
Sent: Sun, 06 Aug 2006 20:24:18 -0400
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Got-ta bird - National Wildlife Visitor Center, 8/6/06

Marcia, are these Whooping Cranes raised in captivity? I didn't know about them, so I suspect there are others who would like to know more, like how to see them, etc. I've seen the w-cranes several times in TX, but never closer than a couple of hundred yards. A close-up view would be fascinating. Very impressive birds! 
 
  Bob Hartman 
  Colesville, Md 
 
Marcy Stutzman wrote: 
 
> The Whooping Cranes on the Patuxent Research Refuge Central Tract