23 more sarus cranes spotted in southern Vietnam nature reserve
Monday, March 17, 2025, 15:17 GMT+7
The Phu My Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam recorded the arrival of an additional 23 sarus cranes foraging in its core area on Sunday.
Lam Hong Tuan, deputy head of the conservation area's management board, confirmed the sighting, noting it as the largest flock observed since March 11.
Tuan added that some of the cranes even stayed overnight within the sanctuary.
The cranes were described as large, with some weighing over 10 kilograms and standing over 1.3 meters tall.
“We have assigned staff to continuously observe and record the cranes' arrival," Tuan said, expressing delight at the discovery of the 23 cranes foraging within the melaleuca forest of the core area.
Experts suggest that the flock may have migrated from Cambodia to Phu My, seeking both food and potential mates toward the end of their migration season.
After this period, the cranes will likely depart to other locations for breeding.
From March 11 to 16, a total of 45 sarus cranes have been observed at the core and buffer zones of this nature reserve, with several staying overnight.
At around 9:30 am on March 14, staff observed nine sarus cranes feeding in a ripened rice field within the buffer zone.
Notably, four of the cranes remained overnight at the field’s edge, where they had been foraging.
This marks a significant event, as cranes have not been observed sleeping in the reserve for years.
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| Sarus cranes were found foraging and roosting overnight in the buffer zone of the Phu My Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Supplied |
Between March 11 and 12, 13 sarus cranes were recorded foraging in the buffer zone.
These 13, believed to have flown from Cambodia, did not stay overnight.
The reserve, covering approximately 2,700 hectares, consists of a 1,066-hectare core area and a 1,644-hectare buffer zone, with seasonal wetlands rich in organic matter that attract rare species like sarus cranes, one of the world's tallest flying birds.
In 2018, 29 sarus cranes were recorded roosting overnight in the core zone, but since then, overnight stays had ceased until the latest sighting.
Local authorities have continued to raise awareness among farmers to preserve the ecosystem, ensuring a safe habitat for returning cranes, Tuan said.
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