Amanda Lewis

I keep track of the genetics and population of Mississippi Sandhill Cranes in America and make breeding recommendations in order to increase genetic diversity among a small but growing population.

Currently i am an avian propagation keeper at the Freeport McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center. I work with Mississippi Sandhill cranes, Whooping Cranes, saddle-bill storks, milky storks, abide storks, blue billed curassows, and helmeted guinea fowl. I am responsible for everyday husbandry and during the appropriate season (February to April) perform artificial insemination on our crane species. During nesting season I process the eggs from all species and usually use artificial incubation to incubate them. From April to October I costume rear (dress up like a crane) Mississippi sandhill cranes and whooping cranes. The Facility i am at is continuing to grow since our recent partnership with San Diego Zoo Global. We are excited to eventually welcome a variety of other bird species in the near future.