Dong Thap welcomes six more red-crowned cranes for conservation

(DTO) Dong Thap Province on June 24 held a ceremony in Tram Chim Commune to receive six red-crowned cranes in the second translocation batch from the Kingdom of Thailand.

Attending the event were Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, who also serves as Head of the Steering Committee for the Red-crowned Crane Conservation and Development Project; leaders of provincial departments and agencies; local commune officials; experts from the International Crane Foundation (ICF), Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo (Korat Zoo), and the Vietnam Zoo Association; representatives of businesses and partner organizations; and local residents living in the buffer zone of Tram Chim National Park.

The reception of the six red-crowned cranes is part of the ongoing implementation of the Red-crowned Crane Conservation and Development Project at Tram Chim National Park for the 2022-2032 period, which aims to restore the red-crowned crane population in the Tram Chim Ramsar site.

Providing an update on the conservation cooperation program between Vietnam and Thailand, Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Director of Tram Chim National Park, said that since 2023, based on a memorandum of understanding signed between the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand (ZPOT), the Vietnam Zoo Association, and the International Crane Foundation, the parties have coordinated the implementation of numerous key conservation initiatives.

To date, Dong Thap has successfully received two translocation batches totaling 12 red-crowned cranes in accordance with the established roadmap. At the same time, technical staff from Tram Chim National Park have undergone specialized training on crane care, husbandry, behavioral training, and reintroduction procedures.

Alongside crane conservation efforts, habitat restoration has continued to advance. The area covered by wild rice communities has reached more than 598 hectares, an increase of 139 hectares compared to 2023. Meanwhile, eleocharis (spike rush) communities, an important food source for cranes, now cover nearly 148 hectares, up 124 hectares from 2023. The park has also controlled invasive alien species, rehabilitated ponds and lakes, and gradually enhanced the ecological environment for conservation purposes.

Notably, an eco-friendly rice cultivation model has been implemented in the buffer zones of Tram Chim and Tam Nong communes, covering more than 312 hectares and involving 41 households. The model is considered an important foundation for developing a sustainable habitat for red-crowned cranes in the future.

Reporting on the care and management of the crane flock at Tram Chim, Doan Van Nhanh, Deputy Director of the Conservation and International Cooperation Center under Tram Chim National Park, said that the cranes received in the first batch are developing well, adapting to the natural conditions of Tram Chim, and have begun exhibiting breeding behavior. Care, health monitoring, and natural behavior training are being carried out in accordance with guidance from international and Thai experts.

At the conference, experts from Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo (Korat Zoo) shared Thailand’s experience in red-crowned crane conservation. According to the experts, successful restoration of a red-crowned crane population requires a comprehensive approach encompassing genetic conservation, captive breeding, habitat restoration, and community awareness raising. The experts highly appreciated the initial results achieved by Dong Thap and pledged to continue providing technical support and cooperation to Tram Chim National Park in the coming years.

During the discussion session, numerous scientists urged Dong Thap Province to continue investing in scientific research, habitat restoration, and the development of environmentally friendly livelihood models in the buffer zone. Experts also emphasized the crucial role of local authorities and residents in maintaining the wetland ecosystem and minimizing activities that could adversely affect the red-crowned cranes' habitat.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman Nguyen Phuoc Thien expressed his delight at the successful reception of the second batch of six red-crowned cranes. According to Thien, the achievement was the result of close coordination among domestic and international agencies and organizations, particularly Thai partners, the International Crane Foundation, the Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, quarantine and customs authorities, transportation units, Vietnam Airlines, sponsoring enterprises, and the expert teams that have accompanied Dong Thap throughout the project.

On behalf of the provincial leadership, Vice Chairman Nguyen Phuoc Thien expressed his sincere gratitude to international partners, central agencies, professional organizations, and the business community for their support in ensuring the safe and timely transportation and reception of the red-crowned cranes from Thailand to Tram Chim in compliance with regulations. He particularly acknowledged the active support of the traffic police force in facilitating the smooth and on-schedule transport of the cranes from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Tram Chim National Park.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Phuoc Thien also commended the participation of a large number of residents from the buffer zone of Tram Chim National Park. He noted that local people’s transition toward ecological agricultural production models and reduced environmental impacts represents a positive signal, contributing to the creation of suitable habitats for the return of red-crowned cranes.

Regarding future orientations, the Vice Chairman requested Tram Chim National Park to develop provincial-level scientific research projects and gradually propose national-level research programs on red-crowned crane captive breeding, with the participation of Thai experts and international conservation organizations. He also called for the continued expansion of community-based conservation models and ecological rice cultivation linked to sustainable livelihoods for residents in the buffer zone.

The provincial leader affirmed that Dong Thap would manage and utilize sponsorship funding from enterprises in a transparent, accountable, efficient, and purpose-driven manner. He also expressed hope that businesses would continue accompanying the province in nature conservation activities and red-crowned crane conservation efforts.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Phuoc Thien further urged local authorities and residents in the buffer zone to continue joining hands in protecting the ecosystem of Tram Chim National Park and limiting activities that could affect crane habitats, including banning cattle grazing within the national park, thereby helping create a safe ecological environment for the long-term development of the crane population.

The successful reception of the second batch of six red-crowned cranes further demonstrates Dong Thap’s strong commitment to implementing the Red-crowned Crane Conservation and Development Project, gradually realizing the goal of restoring the signature ecological symbol of the Land of Pink Lotuses.

By MY LY
Translated by X.QUANG