Record certificate No. 3217/KLVN/2024 of the Vietnam Record Organization, signed on September 12, confirmed that Hon Trung (Con Dao National Park) is the seabird sanctuary with the highest breeding density in Vietnam, with an average density of 4.88 eggs/m².
Security cameras must be installed to protect birds.
As scheduled, when the first rains of the season fall, dispelling the sweltering heat, flocks of migratory seabirds flock to Con Dao to mate and breed, creating a particularly dense and close-knit bird population that surprises everyone.
Hon Trung is a small island, located farthest to the Northeast of the legendary Con Son Island, with a distance of nearly 20km, with an area of only less than 2 hectares and almost no vegetation except for a few scattered grasses on the strangely shaped rocks stacked or stretched out one after another.
According to the leader of Con Dao National Park, because it is far from the mainland, in the middle of the vast ocean, and there are tens of thousands of seabirds gathering at the same time, with countless bird eggs of all kinds; although it is specially protected by the rangers of Con Dao National Park; for quite a long time, Hon Trung has been "attacked" by egg theft and bird capture. Some fishermen fishing at sea have climbed onto Hon Trung many times, picked up bird eggs in baskets, and even caught baby birds for food.
The rangers had to take a speedboat to the area where the fishermen were preparing to climb to the island, using loudspeakers to remind passing boats and ships to stay away from the Hon Trung area, which is under special protection.
Many subjects have been severely punished, and at the same time, propaganda has been carried out to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation and habitat conservation.
Recently, Con Dao National Park has installed security cameras on the top of Hon Trung, the “eyes of the gods” covering most of the island. Any encroachment on the environment, on bird eggs and on wild, rare birds here are easily detected.
The largest and most important seabird sanctuary in Southeast Asia
Con Dao National Park has recorded 5 species of migratory seabirds coming to Hon Trung Island to nest and lay eggs, including: Black-backed Tern, Large-crested Tern, White-bellied Sulidae, White-sided Swiftlet, and Grey-headed Tern. They often nest all over the island and forage around it. During the day, they fly around looking for food on the sea surface, taking turns returning to Hon Trung to rest, nest, lay eggs, and take care of their young...
The average egg density at Hon Trung bird sanctuary is 4.88 eggs/m². With the statistical area of Hon Trung being 1.49ha, equivalent to 14,900m2. That means, currently on Hon Trung there are about 72,712 seabird eggs.
Hon Trung, together with Con Dao National Park, is recognized as a RAMSAR Site - an international title for wetlands of global importance and located on the East Asia-Australian Bird Migration Route (EAAFP).
Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of Con Dao National Park Management Board, said that the record recognition is a recognition and encouragement for nature lovers at home and abroad, contributing to raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection and biodiversity in the Hon Trung area, Con Dao in particular.
“The record recognition will motivate scientists, conservation organizations and local communities to continue researching and better protecting Hon Trung bird sanctuary,” said Mr. Pho.
The successful conservation of Hon Trung and Con Dao National Park is not only of great significance to Vietnam but also contributes significantly to the efforts of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in the Southeast Asian region and globally.
