Dozens of red-headed cranes (Grus antigone sharpii) have flocked to an area of bang grass fields in southern Kien Giang Province.
According to Ha Tri Cao, co-ordinator of a project to preserve and sustainably develop the bang (Lepironia articulate) grass fields in Phu My commune, the red-headed cranes had been descending on the grass field since January in search of food.
Cao said 20 cranes had travelled to the area in the first two months of the year. That number had grown to between 100 and 150 cranes now.
Listed in the World and Vietnamese Red Books of Threatened Species, the red-headed crane is one of the largest of its kind, standing approximately 1.75m tall and weighing 8.7kg. The birds have an average wingspan of 2.5m.
The cranes often stayed in these grass fields until May, Cao said.
Cao predicted that more red-headed cranes would come in the next few days as the bang grass field had been significantly improved and were a favourite habitat of the birds.
Staff with the Grass Field Reserve Zone have watched and protected the cranes from human influence to keep them in the area. Phu My grass field is the only place in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta with 1,200 ha of grass field and cajuput forest. About 60 ha have been restored and 20 ha of new grass has been planted to attract the cranes.
Officials in Dong Thap Province's Tram Chim National Park also reported to have about 100 red-headed cranes in their area.