The initiative is a joint effort by Dong Thap authorities, the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand (ZPOT), the Vietnam Zoos Association (VZA), the International Crane Foundation (ICF), and Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The six red-crowned cranes, about seven months old, included three males and three females, and were brought to Vietnam by air.
The red-crowned crane is a symbolic species of Tram Chim National Park (Photo by Nguyen Van Hung)
Before being taken to Dong Thap’s Tram Chim National Park, the cranes underwent mandatory quarantine at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
According to Dong Thap authorities, the arrival of the six red-crowned cranes from Thailand marks the first major milestone in efforts between the two countries to conserve this endangered species.
The red-crowned crane, a symbolic species of Tram Chim National Park and Dong Thap, is a rare and endangered animal listed on the IUCN Red List, requiring urgent conservation efforts.
The park was once home to more than 1,000 red-crowned cranes, one of only 15 crane species left in the world. However, their population has plummeted in recent years, with some years seeing no return at all.
In 2023, Dong Thap approved a 10-year plan to conserve and restore the red-crowned crane population at Tram Chim National Park.
The plan focuses on nurturing cranes from Thailand, researching captive breeding, and reintroducing them into the wild at Tram Chim National Park. It also includes restoring habitats and developing sustainable rice farming that harmonises local livelihoods with environmental conservation.
