Just a quick 20-minute drive south of Buri Ram’s bustling town centre lies the tranquil Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir—a sanctuary for Thailand’s sarus cranes.
Nestled amidst picturesque marshlands and rice paddies, this spot offers visitors a rare glimpse of these endangered cranes in their natural habitat, harmoniously coexisting with local farmers.
Begin your journey at the Wetland and Sarus Crane Learning Centre, perched on the edge of the reservoir.
This dedicated sanctuary focuses on crane conservation and reintroduction to a natural habitat. Climb to the top of towering four-storey bird observation perch to witness flocks of sarus cranes gracefully foraging nearby.
It’s a captivating experience for any traveller drawn to the beauty of wildlife conservation.
The sarus crane is the tallest flying bird, embodying majestic beauty with its graceful stature and striking features.
Standing tall with long legs and a slender neck, adorned in elegant grey plumage, it moves with a dignified presence.
The upper part of its neck and lower head are painted in vibrant hues of red, contrasting with the bare crown atop its head.
Its round, deep orange eyes exude a sense of intelligence and awareness.
In flight, the sarus crane is even more graceful as its massive wings carry it effortlessly through the sky.
The sarus cranes are symbols of longevity, fidelity, and grace, but they face a harsh reality as one of the most endangered bird families worldwide.
In Thailand, where they are known to the locals as “Thai crane”, they’re nearly extinct, almost like mythical creatures.
The last time anyone saw wild sarus cranes was back in 1968 along the Thailand-Cambodia border—more than 50 years ago.
The cranes you see at Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir aren’t fully wild.
Their ancestors were born and bred in captivity at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo before becoming part of artificial insemination efforts to save the species.
The journey to reintroduce the sarus crane to its natural habitat started back in 1982, with Thailand teaming up with the International Crane Foundation.
Fast forward to 2011, when they released 10 young sarus cranes into Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir and Sanambin Reservoir in Buri Ram province.
These places are noted for their lush wetland environments, ideal for supporting a booming bird population.
The species reintroduction project has been a hit, with annual releases of sarus cranes steadily boosting their numbers.
Now, Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir is a lively sanctuary, home to 133 of these majestic birds living and breeding naturally.
Beyond just being a conservation success, the crane project boosts the local economy and turns the area into a lively ecotourism spot. It invites travellers to connect with nature and dive into the local culture.
Partnering with local communities, the Wetland and Sarus Crane Learning Centre offers an immersive travel experience: the “Bird Watching and Eastern Sarus Crane Boat Tour.”
Hop on a traditional e-pong boat and glide across the peaceful Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir, surrounded by blooming lotus flowers and all kinds of aquatic plants.
Enjoy the stunning views of sunrise and sunset while spotting numerous waterfowl and migratory birds in their natural wetland home, including the lesser whistling duck, the Indian spot-billed duck, watercocks, and purple swamp hens.
This trip gives you a chance to see over 100 rare and endangered bird species, connecting you deeply to Thailand’s amazing biodiversity in a calm and beautiful setting.
Seeing a sarus crane in its natural habitat is a special experience that lets you appreciate its beauty and its role in the delicate ecosystem.
It’s a reminder of how important conservation efforts are so future generations can also enjoy these amazing birds.
The marshland, where sarus cranes naturally live and forage, is right next to the rice paddies where they often nest during mating season.
Local farmers, knowing the cranes are around, have switched to organic farming and cut back on pesticides to share the land with these endangered birds.
Going organic not only gives the cranes a safe place to live but also boosts the value of the farmers’ crops.
The Wetland and Sarus Crane Learning Centre in Buri Ram isn’t just a bird sanctuary; it’s a beacon of hope for crane conservation.
It’s also a learning hub for people of all walks of life, showcasing years of hard work to reintroduce sarus cranes back into the wild.
With help from the local community, the centre runs exhibitions where kids can be tour guides and sells local products in the gift shop.
Legend has it that seeing a crane before a journey is auspicious.
Spotting the cranes at Huai Chorakhe Mak Reservoir, in their natural habitat, is a powerful reminder of nature’s beauty and resilience.
Their loud, trumpeting calls of “kwa! kwa” echo across the marshlands and rice paddies, creating an almost magical atmosphere around these amazing birds.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
The Wetland and Sarus Crane Learning Centre is open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
By Thai PBS World Feature Desk
Main photo : The sarus crane is known as a symbol of unconditional love and devotion. They live in pairs, never separating from their partner for a single moment.//Photo: Wetland and Sarus Crane Learning Centre
