Two attempts at spotting Sarus cranes failed on the borderlands of Cambodia

On the first day, three Sarus cranes appeared about 1,000 meters away; the next morning, we still had to leave without getting any closer to them.

Two missed attempts at spotting Sarus cranes at the Anlung Pring Conservation Area

After crossing the Xa Xia - Ha Tien border (Kien Giang) about 30 km, we arrived at the Anlung Pring Conservation Area, covering 217 hectares in Aparasat, Ton Hon commune, Kampong Trach district, Kampot province of the Kingdom of Cambodia - where members of the Photography and Travel Club informed us that over a hundred Sarus cranes had just returned.

The Sarus crane here is an Eastern species - the largest in the crane family but also very sensitive to environmental changes. Documents indicate that adult cranes are about 1.5 to 1.8 meters tall, with a wingspan of 2.2 to 2.5 meters, and an average weight of 8 to 10 kg.

According to statistics from the International Crane Foundation (ICF) of the United States, there are currently fewer than 1,000 Eastern Sarus cranes. Before 1999, Sarus cranes lived mainly in Tram Chim Tam Nong (Dong Thap), but gradually moved to Kien Giang and have appeared in Ton Hon for many years. To preserve the crane population, the Cambodian government established the Anlung Pring Conservation Area.

Our journey led us to Anlung Pring Conservation Area as the golden evening sun stretched its rays over the dry water beds. Despite scanning the vast fields, we were unable to spot any cranes. While the team leader handled formalities and fees, Bone Ouk, the site manager, graciously invited us to Buffalo Cafe where we observed red-crowned cranes through strategically placed telescopes. Through these lenses, three red-crowned cranes, over 1,000 meters away, were spotted feeding on distant fields.

Thanks to the sparse crowd, we were permitted to leave the observation tower and approach a nearby rice paddy, hoping to get a bit closer to the crane flock. However, even lenses under 800mm proved ineffective as the cranes remained too distant.

Here, the cranes congregated in small groups, with each group having a sentinel crane, vigilantly surveying the surroundings while the others foraged. Bone Ouk, our companion, ensured our presence did not disturb the crane flock.

Apart from cranes, the area was alive with various bird species, including flocks of Painted Storks numbering in the thousands flying overhead, and numerous other wild birds engrossed in their meals. Some of us unwittingly stumbled upon a fire ant nest, enduring painful stings without daring to make a sound. Surrounding us were several branches adorned with blossoming Indian coral trees.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we reluctantly departed, planning to return the next day to capture more images of the cranes at dawn.

At five in the morning, with the Ton Hon sky still shrouded in darkness, we silently ventured deeper into Anlung Pring, concealing ourselves amidst thickets, waiting patiently for the cranes to emerge for their morning meal. Bone Ouk mentioned that whether the cranes would land before us or not was a matter of sheer luck. Sometimes they would, but at other times, they would touch down a mile away, beyond our reach.

The night mist was quite chilly, with some of us sitting while others lay on the ground, all clad in clothing and military-style hats, some even adorned with branches for camouflage, resembling guerrilla fighters. As dawn approached and the mist still lingered, the familiar sound of cranes echoed, causing everyone to look up.

A flock of four red-crowned cranes gracefully descended from afar, landing gently in a sparse grove about 400 meters away from us, leaving us all breathless. Unfortunately, the early morning mist blurred the images of the cranes. The sparse branches obstructed clear shots, leaving our cameras struggling to focus, much to our frustration. As the sun rose, casting harsh backlighting and the cranes took flight to join another flock a mile away, we silently packed up our gear and retreated.

We make plans for another visit, hoping to encounter more cranes, closer this time, in the hopes of capturing even more beautiful shots that everyone dreams of getting once in a lifetime.

Source: Đỗ Thị Huỳnh Hoa/Vnexpress

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook