ĐIỆN BIÊN — Hundreds of cò nhạn (a kind of openbill stork with the scientific name Anastomus) have been spotted in fields in Điện Biên District, the northern mountainous province of Điện Biên, over the past week.

The stork is a rare bird listed in Việt Nam’s Red Data Book – a list of rare and endangered species of fauna and flora native to the country.

The provincial Department of Forest Management said the appearance of the birds showed the province had a diversified environment for animals and it was suitable for the valuable birds.

The birds were seen in dozens of fields in the area.

Experts from the Điện Biên Department of Forest Management said that it was not the first time cò nhạn had appeared. This year, the birds migrated to the area a bit later than normal.

Phạm Văn Khiên, deputy director of the department, said the department, in coordination with the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the people’s committee to develop a plan to protect the birds.

This type of stork is often seen in South and Southeast Asia. It weighs between 1-1.5kg and is about 50cm in height. — VNS