In the last few years, more Sarus cranes, a threatened species, have been spotted returning to the wetlands in Kiên Giang Province. The restoration of the wetlands, the last extensive remnant of a lepironia grass ecosystem in the Mekong River Delta, has been ongoing for decades. The Phú Mỹ Conservation project, begun in 2006, has played a major part in preserving the local habitat for Sarus cranes, and has helped locals earn a living by making handicrafts from lepironia. Văn Châu reports.         

In the late 80s, conservation efforts by foreign and local groups helped restore the wild grasses and wetlands in Việt Nam that were once a habitat for the Sarus crane, the largest flying bird in the world that is now on the threatened species list. 

Years of war had decimated the wetlands in southwestern Việt Nam, which were home to the cranes, considered a sacred symbol in the country because of their lifelong loyalty to their partners and longevity.

Over the years, conservation projects, many of them carried out by the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and local scientists, have helped safeguard small remnant wetlands that cranes could use.

Despite the appearance of more cranes last year and earlier this year, the wetlands area in Phú Mỹ Commune in the coastal southern province of Kiên Giang remains somewhat under threat, mostly now due to climate change.

Fraidy cranes: Sarus cranes fly away if they hear noise. Visitors have to stand about 100 metres away and watch them with binoculars. VNS Photo Văn Châu

In the past, the main threats were habitat loss and degradation of food resources caused by human activities, including illegal conversion of wetlands, changes in agricultural practices, and poisoning from agricultural and industrial chemicals.

The trade of eggs, chicks and adults of Sarus cranes and the hunting of eggs and adults for food were also a threat.

One of the most successful efforts in maintaining the wetlands habitat over the years has been the Phú Mỹ Conservation project, begun in 2006 in Kiên Giang’s melaleuca forests. 

The Phú Mỹ sanctuary, which contains cỏ bàng (Lepironia articulata), a grass-like perennial plant favoured by the Sarus cranes, is located in Kiên Lương District which borders Cambodia.

Last year, and more recently, in March and April, many cranes were spotted at the Phú Mỹ Sanctuary, an unexpected surprise for locals and scientists.

“At the end of April, my officers saw more than 100 Sarus cranes in the Phú Mỹ Conservation area, looking for shrimp, their favourite food,” Lâm Hồng Tuấn, deputy director of the Phú Mỹ Conservation project, said.

“The cranes are very smart and fly away if they hear noise. So, you have to watch them from afar, maybe more than 100 metres away with binoculars.”

One true love: In the wild, Sarus cranes often mate for life and stay in one place. It is said that when a crane dies, its partner will never mate with another crane. VNS Photo Văn Châu

The village of Phú Mỹ is among the poorest in Việt Nam, according to Tuấn. The adjacent 5,000-acre wetland area supports the last extensive remnant of lepironia grass ecosystem in the Mekong Delta.

“The wetland is important for biodiversity, and provides the major economic base for the community’s Khmer ethnic minority, as villagers harvest grass to produce woven goods,” he said.

This year, researchers from the Centre for Biodiversity and Development in Kiên Lương District also noticed that more cranes were visiting Phú Mỹ, around 120 one morning in March and 77 the next day.  

At the crack of dawn, when mist covered the wet fields, a flock of cranes suddenly landed, Tuấn said.

“A researcher for the centre said it was amazing to watch the cranes spread their wings and stretch out their long legs to land like aeroplanes. From February to April, the dry season, is the best chance to see them,” he said. "But you have to be prepared to walk or even crawl quietly if you want to have a chance of seeing them."

In 2006, the Phú Mỹ Conservation project won a natural environmental protection award from UN-HABITAT, and was a finalist for the 2007 Equator Prize sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Trần Triết, director of the International Crane Foundation’s (ICF) Southeast Asia Programme, a biology professor at HCM City National University, told Việt Nam News that it had taken many years to seek foreign sponsors and persuade provincial authorities to supply land for the project.

"Thousands of dollars were invested to preserve the wetlands and protect the feeding habitats of the cranes, and if that had not been done, it would have all been lost," he said.

In 2009, six local households dug canals, invading the proposed nature reserve to make way for shrimp breeding ponds. This took away water and grasses from the fields.

But the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and local authorities intervened and the locals filled up the canals, according to Triết.

Handicrafts

Aside from serving as a habitat for the cranes, the Phú Mỹ Conservation area helps local residents earn a living from growing lepironia grass and making handicrafts.

The Phú Mỹ project, which preserves 2,000ha of wetlands, has trained the ethnic Khmer locals in making high-quality handbags, hats and baskets from lepironia grass harvested in the area, contributing to sustainable development of the wetlands.

Local residents have also received assistance in marketing and selling their goods to tourists in HCM City and higher-value export markets.