VietNamNet Bridge – The number of valuable and rare birds found at the U Minh Thuong National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang is rapidly increasing, according to park deputy director Pham Quoc Dan.

Species of birds include the lesser adjutant, little egret, black-crowned night heron, cinnamon bittern and greater coucal, all faced with the risk of extinction. Lesser adjutant numbers, consisting of only seven birds in 2004, now reach over 100. The bird has been listed in the Red Book of threatened species and is most commonly found in only two Southeast Asian areas, one being the U Minh Thuong National Park.

Other birds, such as the spot-billed pelican, woolly necked stork and black-headed ibis, has also seen an increase in numbers.

The rapid increase in bird numbers has confirmed that the park's ecological environment has been successfully rehabilitated based on afforestation and the regeneration of cajuput forests in particular in order to create sustainable habitats.

The U Minh Thuong National Park, founded in 2002, is located in An Minh District's An Minh Bac Commune and Vinh Thuan District's Minh Thuan Commune in Kien Giang Province. The park has long been known for its rich and diverse bird life, hosting 22.7 per cent of all bird species found in Viet Nam.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News