Risk of extinction of Cu Lao Cham bird
Cu Lao Cham (Hoi An, Quang Nam) used to be the "kingdom" of the rare red bird - one of two bird breeds that can be eaten in their nests in Vietnam. However, according to Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Management and Exploitation Board of Hoi An bird's nest, within just 10 years, the output of bird's nest exploited on the island has decreased from more than 1.3 tons (in 2014) to just over 1 ton in 2024 - a decrease of about 13 times.
The total flock of bird birds today is only over 40,000, while previously it reached over half a million. This loss is huge, said Mr. Hai.
One of the main causes is the severe narrowing of the sword area. Previously, people on the island also grew rice and crops, creating an environment for insects - the natural food for birds nest to develop. But in recent years, people have abandoned their fields, causing bird birds to fly far inland to find prey, and have been lured by artificial bird houses to not return to the island, Mr. Hai analyzed.
According to Dr. Vo Tan Phong, bird expert from the Management Board, in addition to food factors, climate change, extreme weather, heavy storms, strong winds and high humidity in the cave have made the natural habitat unfavorable for the birdlands. Although the bird's lifespan can be up to 15'17 years, the high mortality rate is causing the herd to recover alarmingly slowly.
Another risk is competition from domestic bird species - bird species that tend to migratory from the South, developing strongly thanks to the huge investment of on-land bird farmers.
"The island has a very loyal character, rarely changing the nesting place. However, young birds can leave if they feel that the island conditions are not suitable. That is an irreparable loss, said Mr. Phong.
Urgent need for conservation strategy
It is a pity that Cu Lao Cham bird's nest has long been considered the best in Vietnam. According to the analysis, island bird's nest contains a very high content of sialic acid - about 9% - playing an important role in strengthening the immune system, supporting brain development, preventing aging and beautifying. In addition, bird's nest also contains more than 18 essential amino acids such as Proline, Glycine, Tyrosine, Arginine...
Therefore, Cu Lao Cham bird's nest is exported raw to high-end markets such as Korea, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China) with a selling price of up to 265 million VND/kg of type 1. However, despite their high value, profits cannot compensate for the loss of ecology and species.
For many years, the Management Board has implemented measures such as rescuing young birds, artificial egg incubation, and nursing young birds before releasing nature, but Mr. Tran Thanh Hai admitted: "The force is still thin, the research conditions on the sea is very difficult, and the technology of linging nest in the mainland is increasingly sophisticated, so the protection of the bird's nest has many obstacles."
We identify bird conservation as a key task. However, to go into depth in research and preserving gene sources, it is necessary to have the participation of authorities and scientists inside and outside the province. This is an invaluable natural asset that cannot be left unused, Mr. Hai emphasized.
Every early morning, the herd of bird left Cu Lao Cham cave and flew all over the sea and sky of Quang Nam and Da Nang to find prey, then returned to the cave to take shelter at dawn. But without timely action, their return date may no longer be there.
