Conserving and Developing the Sarus Crane Population at Tram Chim National Park

The People's Committee of Dong Thap province has approved a project for the conservation and development of the sarus crane at Tram Chim National Park from 2022 to 2032, with a total estimated cost of over 184 billion VND.

The People's Committee of Dong Thap province has approved a project for the conservation and development of the sarus crane at Tram Chim National Park from 2022 to 2032, with a total estimated cost of over 184 billion VND.

Tram Chim National Park has an abundance of Eleocharis dulcis, a food source for sarus cranes. (Photo: Nhut An)

The sarus crane, a rare bird listed in the World Red Book, is endangered and in need of protection. It is a symbol of Tram Chim National Park in particular and Dong Thap province in general.
The People's Committee of Dong Thap province has approved a project for the conservation and development of the sarus crane at Tram Chim National Park from 2022 to 2032, with a total estimated cost of over 184 billion VND. The project includes activities such as receiving, raising, researching reproduction, and re-releasing sarus cranes; restoring the ecosystem and habitat; developing sustainable ecological agricultural production models; and investing in infrastructure and equipment.
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, stated that Tram Chim National Park is well-known because, in the past, a large number of sarus cranes migrated to the park annually. The image of the sarus crane is even featured in the province's logo. In recent years, due to climate change and the impact on the ecological environment, the number of cranes migrating to Tram Chim has gradually decreased, and in some years, they have not returned at all. Faced with this situation, Dong Thap has implemented the Sarus Crane Conservation and Development Project to restore the crane population.

The sarus crane, listed in the World Red Book, once appeared at Tram Chim National Park (Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province).

The restoration and development of the crane population at Tram Chim National Park is significant for biodiversity conservation and the cultural and spiritual life of the local people. The success of the project contributes significantly to the conservation of the sarus crane population in the lower Mekong River region, which is facing the threat of extinction. This demonstrates Vietnam's commitment and sense of responsibility in participating in international institutions.
The project aims to restore and develop the sarus crane population at Tram Chim National Park through captive breeding and release back into the wild. Within 10 years (from 2022 to 2032), 100 cranes will be raised and released, with at least 50 individuals expected to survive. The released sarus cranes will be able to reproduce naturally, exist in the wild, and potentially live year-round at Tram Chim National Park.

Infrastructure is being built to support the Sarus Crane Conservation and Development Project at Tram Chim National Park. (Photo: Nhut An)

The project strives to receive 30 six-month-old cranes from Thailand for breeding, care, and release into the natural environment during the period 2022-2028. Infrastructure and breeding facilities will be completed to support the entire process. The Tram Chim National Park ecosystem will be restored through appropriate water regulation and research-based measures to create a suitable habitat for sarus cranes. By 2028, approximately 200 hectares of rice fields are expected to be converted to ecological production models, with a focus on organic agriculture in the neighboring areas of Tam Nong district.
In the period 2029-2032, the province will continue negotiations with Thailand to receive an additional 30 six-month-old cranes, with an estimated 40 cranes to be bred from the initial parent flock. In addition, the locality will create a distribution map of cranes living inside and outside Tram Chim National Park. Technical staff at the National Park will be able to successfully care for, breed, and release cranes into the wild; gradually convert ecological rice-growing areas to organic rice production (meeting domestic or international standards).

Source: Nhut An - https://chinhsachcuocsong.vnanet.vn