Red-headed cranes by Minh Loc.

The A1 and A5 zones were recently burnt or attacked by mai duong trees (mimosa pigra) so red-head cranes went away. After nearly one year, the ecological environment in Tram Chim has recovered so red-headed cranes have come back.

The national park’s experts forecast that more red-headed cranes will return to the park, perhaps amounting to over 200 heads by the end of April 2009.

In Vietnam, red-headed cranes mainly live in Tram Chim National Park, but the population of this rare bird is dwindling. Previously, Vietnam had several hundred of this species of birds, which currently numbers less than 100.

The reason for this reduction is nan grass fields, the source of cooking for red-headed cranes, are being narrowed because of fire and mai duong trees. If this situation is not improved, red-headed cranes will go away and not return to Vietnam anymore.

The scientific name of red-headed cranes living in Vietnam is Grus antigone sharii and have the average height of 176cm. This species of bird seeks food, mates in Vietnam and leaves to lay eggs in other countries. This bird is named in the Red Book of Vietnam.

Vinh Giang