This Saturday, Christmas Day morning, 13 Sarus cranes from Southeast Asia were released over a lake in Thailand.
Almost extinct 50 years ago, these large non-migratory birds, also called Sarus cranes, are now the subject of a species conservation program.
The first successful reintroduction into the wild was in 2011. Since then, more than 140 birds have been reintroduced into their natural habitat in Buriram province.
"This is the only place where Thai cranes are able to live and reproduce on their own," according to the provincial governor.
Thailand: rare reintroduction of Antigone cranes in the wild https://t.co/UoCGS2e1WZ pic.twitter.com/cIughVsj2A
— Hubert MESSMER 🏃🏻♂️🧘♂️ 🎶 (@Zehub) December 27, 2022
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Educate local people
The 13 birds released a few days ago were transported in special containers from a zoo to the Huai Chorakhe Mak reservoir.
Recognizable by their unique red plumage covering their heads, the cranes were released at the same time in front of onlookers.
The success rate is satisfactory: 60 to 70% of the cranes survive after their release.
Before being released, each bird is chipped and tagged, allowing researchers to track it and improve conservation efforts.
Besides breeding and release, an important part of the program is educating neighboring populations about the species and the local environment.
The habitat of Antigone cranes remains threatened by "the widespread invasion of agriculture", according to Thanachon Kensing, director of a zoo which has established an environmental learning center.
"It is difficult to change the attitude of the villagers," he admits.
“But if we manage to communicate with them to make them understand that we need them, this project will be a success.
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