Four black-necked cranes—three adults and one juvenile—were sighted in the Chug Valley of Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, marking a significant occurrence as it is the first time four cranes have been recorded in the region. Dr. Darge, Senior Veterinary Officer, remarked on the rarity of this sighting compared to previous years, which typically saw only one or three cranes. Biologists note that migratory cranes usually travel in groups, suggesting that one of the adults might have been separated from a pair during last winter, when a female crane was injured by feral dogs. This injured crane was rescued, treated, and relocated to a more suitable environment. The arrival of the cranes presents a chance for reuniting the separated pair. Ecologically, the increase in black-necked cranes has been welcomed by local officials; Obang Tayeng, the Divisional Forest Officer, cited it as a positive sign for the ecology of the area. Additionally, Lobsang Sunickjee, Dirang Range Forest Officer, indicated that measures are being taken to protect the cranes from feral dogs and human disturbances, with local collaboration for their safety during their stay.
