Photo: NatureLife Cambodia
The regal eastern Sarus crane used to be common near the rice fields of the Mekong Delta in southwestern Cambodia, but now fewer than 200 remain across the wetlands of Cambodia and Vietnam, down from nearly 900 in 2002. NatureLife Cambodia is working with local farmers on two projects to grow the native varieties of rice that the cranes like best, and hopes eventually to protect more than 1,000 hectares for the cranes. NatureLife leases the farmland and provides supports to participating farmers who agree to leave 5% of the rice unharvested for the cranes and follow a set of guidelines.
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