Vietnam national park to receive two Sarus cranes from Laos

The cranes (Grus antigone sharpii), around 20 years old and weighing five to six kilograms, are currently being raised at a zoo in Vientiane. Since the cranes are not healthy enough to survive in the wild, the zoo had contacted the International Crane Foundation to find a place for them to live.

Tran Triet, a member of the foundation, had contacted Dong Thap authorities to arrange for the cranes to be brought to Tram Chim National Park. The cranes are expected to arrive this November, he added.

“The cranes would be raised with the goal of environmental education, not repopulation,” said Triet, adding that the national park had built enclosures and trained staff to take care of the cranes.

Tram Chim National Park, spanning 7,500 hectares, is a designated wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is a haven for several bird species, including the Sarus cranes, which often migrated here from Cambodia between December and April.

There are around 15,000-20,000 Sarus cranes around the world, according to the International Crane Foundation, with around 8,000-10,000 in India, Nepal and Pakistan. In mainland Southeast Asia (mainly Vietnam and Cambodia), there are around 160 Sarus cranes, the foundation added.

The Sarus crane is listed as vulnerable in accordance with the IUCN Red List.