DienBien (VNA) - Hundreds of co nhan (a kind of openbill stork with thescientific name Anastomus Oscitans) have been spotted in fields in DienBien district in the northern mountainous province of DienBien, over the past week.
The stork is a rare bird listedin Vietnam’s Red Data Book –a list of rare and endangered species of fauna and flora native to the country.
The provincial Sub-department of Forest Management said theappearance of the birds showed the province had a diversified environment foranimals and it was suitable for the valuable birds.
The birds were seen in dozensof fields in the area.
Experts from the Dien Bien Sub-department of Forest Management said thatit was not the first time co nhanhad appeared. This year, the birds migrated to the area a bit later thannormal.
Pham Van Khien, deputy director of the department,said the department, in coordination with the provincial Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development and the people’s committee to develop a planto protect the birds.
This type of stork isoften seen in South and Southeast Asia. It weighs between 1-1.5kg and is about50cm in height./.