The storks, scientifically known as Anastomus oscitans (also known as the snail stork), belongs to the family of Cranes, and is a rare bird listed in the Vietnam Red Book. Their reappearance in Phong Nha town (Bo Trach District) and the surrounding areas of the national park's buffer zone has surprised and delighted both conservationists and local people.
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| A flock of Red-Book storks flies over the buffer zone of the national park. Photo: Jungle Boss |
This is a large water bird, averaging 80–90cm in height, with a slender body and distinctive white feathers, and iridescent black or purple wings. The stork's bill is grey and has a special gap between its jaws - a feature that helps them adapt well to catching and eating snails.
The main food of the stork is aquatic animals such as snails, field crabs, frogs, and some large insects. They often live in wetlands, rice fields and swamps - places that are favorable for foraging.
Currently, the stork is classified as an endangered species in the Vietnam Red Book, with a very high risk of extinction due to the increasingly narrowing and pollution of its habitat, as well as the impact of illegal hunting activities.
The appearance of a large flock of storks in the buffer zone of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is considered a positive sign. This shows that the ecosystem here still maintains biodiversity, stable habitat and conditions for rare birds to return.
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| The appearance of the flock of storks surprised and delighted both conservationists and local people. |
As recorded, flocks of storks often gather in Phong Nha town. Local people said that in the early morning or late afternoon, it is easy to observe hundreds of storks flying in flocks, spreading their wings wide, circling over rice fields or perching on the canopy of tall trees in the mountains and forests.
Notably, this flock of storks does not affect the lives or production activities of the people at all. On the contrary, their presence also brings a sense of peace and closeness to nature.
"There have been a few flocks of storks before, but never have they been as large and concentrated as this time," a resident of Phong Nha town shared.
To protect the rare birds, the Phong Nha town government has coordinated with the forest rangers to organize propaganda and mobilize people to raise awareness of natural ecological conservation. Authorities also regularly patrol and advise people not to get too close to the nesting area of the storks to avoid disturbing the habitat of this rare bird species.
According to the leader of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, the appearance of the rare flock of storks is significant in terms of biodiversity. Currently, specialized units are continuing to monitor the activities of the flock of storks to plan research and evaluate the possibility of long-term residence in the area, thereby proposing sustainable management and conservation measures.
