Title
Census of Non-Breeding Sarus Crane in Cambodia and Vietnam 2009
Author(s)
Robert van Zalinge, Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa, Tran Triet, Tom Evans, Hong Chamnan, Seng Kim Hout
Abstract
This report describes the results of synchronized counts of non-breeding Sarus Crane Grus antigone flocks in Cambodia and Vietnam in 2009. Three censuses were conducted. The most important is the late-dry season census as this count has been conducted on an annual basis since 2001. Cranes were recorded at ten of the eleven sites counted during 25-30 March 2009, with a total of 747, which is around 12% less than last year’s regional count. As in previous years the bulk of the population was found at a select few sites. In order of magnitude these sites are: Ang Trapeang Thmor, Kampong Trach/Phu My, Tram Chim and Hon Chong, which together held 96% of cranes counted in the late dry season. Although it still held the largest number of cranes of all sites, the number of cranes using Ang Trapeang Thmor (ATT) in 2009 was substantially lower than last year. Construction work carried out this year meant that all the water in the reservoir was retained and the main feeding area remained heavily flooded throughout the dry season. It may well be that due to the conditions prevalent at ATT this dry season, some of the cranes bound for ATT moved to temporary alternative feeding sites not covered by the census, thereby influencing the total count.

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