A synthesis of tracking movements and modeling areas, linking to the recent decline of the Sarus Crane population in Cambodia-Vietnam

Using the results of tracking 27 cranes captured in 1998, 2001 and 2015, we examine mortality in the Southeast Asian Population of Eastern Sarus Cranes (Grus antigone sharpii). Satellite transmitters were placed on 17 cranes, representing 8 family groups and the remaining cranes were only ringed. Movements between rainy and dry season habitats were similar to migratory movements but were occurred over relatively short distances. Most rainy season habitats were used for nesting and consisted of dry Dipterocarp forest with numerous palustrine wetlands scattered within. Dry season habitats were primarily found in deltaic wetlands associated with the Tonle Sap Basin or the Mekong Delta. The most suitable nesting habitats occurred in the northern plains located west of the Mekong River and these habitats were in decline, especially in Chep and Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuaries.