The wetlands of the Mekong River basin are essential for biodiversity and for the livelihoods of millions of Mekong inhabitants, either directly or indirectly. The natural wetland sites provide feeding and breeding habitats for large flocks of Sarus cranes (a fast declining and now endangered species). This species used to live throughout undisturbed wetland habitats of the Lower Mekong River basin but now is confined to limited areas of Vietnam and Cambodia, and a separate small population is found in Myanmar. They are threatened mainly by loss of habitat throughout their range, due to drainage of wetlands, agricultural expansion and intensification, which degrades their habitat. Therefore, the sustainable management of wetlands plays an important role for the ensuring the wellbeing and livelihoods of not only people but also the future protection of Sarus cranes and other key wildlife species threatened with extinction.
This news article, drawing on research from the BirdLife International Combodia Programme, draws attention to the critical plight of Sarus cranes in the focal area of the BRIMOFOT research project on both sides of the border.
By the morning of Jan. 18, 2021, a total of 59 sarus crane arrived Anlung Pring Protected Landscape in Kampong Trach, Kampot, according to the BirdLife International Cambodia Programme.
The Programme and partners are conducting a census on this endangered giant bird species. The survey is expected to finish in May. Only 194 sarus cranes were counted in Cambodia during the 2020 census.
During the breading period, cranes move to Preah Vihear, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri provinces for nesting, and during the non-breeding period, they go to the wetland of Takeo, Kampot, and other provinces around Tonle Sap for foraging. Habitat conversion, human disturbance, and egg and chick stealing are the main threats to this species.
According to BirdLife, Sarus Crane (Grus antigone sharpie) was justified in the red list category. This crane is listed as vulnerable because it is suspected to have suffered a rapid population decline. Totally, the whole population is between 13,000-15,000.
This species of bird can be found in the plains of northwestern India, the western half of Nepal’s Terai Lowlands and parts of Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. It is the tallest flying bird in the world. The adult is 176 cm height, and 6.35 kg weight.
A flock of openbill storks feeding in the grassy wetlands habitat of the Boeung Prek Lapouv bird conservation area in the dry season, Takeo Province, Cambodia. Unlike Sarus cranes, storks are not so rare and relatively common visitors. Will future generations of Cambodians or Vietnamese be able to spot the magnificent Sarus cranes in their natural habitat or will they be consigned to history?
Source:https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50804806/cambodian-sarus-cranes-number-declining/?utm
Read more at the official website of the BRIMOFOT project: https://brimofot.wixsite.com/offical
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