4 cranes return to Tram Chim National Park to find food after 2 years

Cranes at Tram Chim National Park in 2019 - Photo: NGUYEN HOAI BAO

According to information from Tram Chim National Park, at 10:30 a.m. on March 7, while checking firefighting equipment and preparing necessary steps for the forest fire prevention and fighting drill, staff recorded four cranes coming to Tram Chim National Park to forage in subdivision A5 for about 30 minutes, then the cranes flew towards subdivision A4.

"Currently, specialized staff monitor 24/7 at the feeding ground in area A5 and other sub-areas where cranes used to feed, as well as neighboring areas, to monitor and have appropriate management directions; increase patrols and supervision of surrounding dikes so as not to affect the cranes' habitat.

In addition, the national park will increase the supply of supplementary food for the cranes when the population is stable, in order to attract more cranes," Mr. Nhanh informed.

Currently, Tram Chim National Park is implementing technical measures to restore the ecosystem, especially the cycad community (crane food) according to the steps of the Red-crowned Crane Conservation and Development Project (phase 2022 - 2032), creating favorable conditions for cranes to come and forage.

Four red-crowned cranes flew back to feed at A5 subdivision of Tram Chim National Park on the morning of March 7. A park staff took a photo with their phone - Photo: Tram Chim National Park

Master Nguyen Hoai Bao - Deputy Director of the Center for Wetland Research (Ho Chi Minh City National University) - said that the positive change in the agricultural ecosystem is the key factor for the cranes to be able to return. The government and people of Dong Thap province are determined to restore the natural ecosystem as well as the agricultural ecosystem.

"Tram Chim National Park is doing very well in regulating water regimes according to the recommendations of scientists to bring back the natural flooding cycle, from which the natural wetland ecosystem is recovering well, creating a favorable environment for birds, including red-crowned cranes, to forage.

Besides, local people and farmers agree on switching to cleaner agricultural practices, especially reducing pesticides, prioritizing the use of biological measures and applying technology to the farming process," said Mr. Bao.

Tram Chim National Park, Dong Thap Province, has been a place where cranes have been foraging for more than 30 years, but now the number of cranes returning each year is very small. The most recent time was in 2021, when three cranes returned to the park, and in 2022 and 2023, the cranes were completely absent.

On March 7, four cranes returned to Tram Chim National Park to forage, showing positive signs.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/4-con-seu-ve-vuon-quoc-gia-tram-chim-kiem-an-sau-2-nam-20240308095803814.htm