| Location: Eagle territory, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam |
| Don’t expect a lot of wildlife in Ha Long Bay – but there are encouraging signs like this three-year juvenile eagle.
Until 1979, there were 300,000 Chinese living on and around Ha Long Bay. The border war with China in that year led to their “evacuation’ from the Bay, an event that created a possibility for the return of wildlife to Ha Long. Vietnamese continue to put pressure on anything that moves, but the intensity is far lower than with Chinese residents. Twenty-six years on, some wildlife returns.
When we identified this baby white belly flying over our escort boat, the Western tour operator and his wife argued, “Our book doesn’t list White Belly Sea Eagles in Ha Long.” See the “Baby” wildlife show for an example of our rehabbing experience with white bellies from before they can fly.
White bellies live 30 years, taking five years to turn from infant brown to dark gray and sparkling white. With experience, it's easy to figure their age by the evolving coloration.
On subsequent trips, we found the unmistakable nest with family. The location is top secret.
Hopefully, one day Ha Long will host several hundred eagle families, protected and respected by the local population. That’s going to take time.
Please excuse the poor quality of this rapid fly-by shot.
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