Sarus crane dies after transfer from Thailand to Vietnam conservation park

The bird was one of six juvenile sarus cranes relocated in April to Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province, a Ramsar wetland site in the Mekong Delta. 

The remaining five cranes are reportedly healthy and have adapted to their enclosures, according to the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee.

According to a report from Tram Chim National Park, the cranes were being held in captivity under guidelines from Thai experts and the International Crane Foundation (ICF).

Veterinary experts from the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap Province, Thailand, and the ICF examined the dead bird. 

They found no signs of trauma, infection, parasites, or gastrointestinal obstruction, and ruled out transportation or quarantine-related causes.

The bird likely died due to physical exhaustion from poor adaptation, which weakened its immune system, the park said, adding that the crane had shown signs of reduced movement and appetite during isolation compared to the others.

Tran Triet, an ICF advisor and lecturer at Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, said the transport process was particularly challenging. 

The journey took 16 hours by land and air in hot weather conditions, and the birds were unable to eat or drink while inside their isolation crates.

"Transporting large birds like cranes always carries risk," Triet said. 

"The fact that all six birds arrived in Vietnam safely was a significant success and provides a foundation for future transfers."

This is the first time Vietnam and Thailand have cooperated on transferring sarus cranes for conservation. 

It also marked the first time seven-month-old cranes were relocated between the two countries.

The birds were transferred from Thailand to Vietnam on April 10 and quarantined at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens before being moved to Tram Chim National Park on April 20, where they are now kept in an enclosure in sub-zone A3.