Kampot province’s Anlung Pring Protected Landscape, in Kampong Trach district, serves as a vital sanctuary for sarus cranes and other migratory birds, offering a safe habitat and abundant food sources.

This wetland area becomes particularly active from December to April, when the cranes arrive to forage before migrating to their breeding grounds in early May.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the cranes migrate from their breeding grounds between October and November, depending on the rainy season. 

“During the foraging season, the birds move in flocks, often flying as families,” said the ministry.

“Unpaired cranes also use this period to bond before the next breeding season,” it added.

Bou Vorsak, CEO of NatureLife Cambodia, emphasised the significance of Anlung Pring for the crane population, noting that up to 50 per cent of Cambodia’s sarus cranes gather there during the non-breeding season.

Anlung Pring alone is expected to host around 80 cranes until May, making it a prime location for birdwatching. Supplied

Despite its small size of just 210 hectares, the site provides essential food, including tubers and native short-grain rice varieties.

However, agricultural changes pose a challenge, as some farmers have shifted to chemical-intensive crops, which can harm the birds.

To address this issue, NatureLife Cambodia has implemented the Crane Rice Field project, which encourages farmers to reduce chemical use and maintain crane-friendly rice varieties. 

“Currently, 120 farming families participate in this initiative, making their fields safer and more attractive for cranes,” Vorsak told The Post.

The Anlung Pring sanctuary offers a safe habitat and abundant food sources. Supplied

A recent crane census at the end of 2024 recorded 123 cranes across different sites in Cambodia.  Anlung Pring alone is expected to host around 80 cranes until May, making it a prime location for birdwatching. 

“It’s a gift to see cranes here. Visitors can observe them from a tower or even from the roadside,” Vorsak noted.

The local community also supports ecotourism by offering guided tours and traditional meals, enhancing visitors’ experiences while promoting conservation. 

With its stunning natural scenery and rich biodiversity, Anlung Pring remains a key destination for those eager to witness these majestic birds in their natural habitat.