At least 20 endangered sarus cranes were recently killed and eaten by villagers of the Banteay Meanchey province of Cambodia. "The birds ate many rice plants and, therefore, the villagers hunted them," said Thach Khorn, the provincial governor. Sun Hean, a wildlife department official, opines that such incidences are the result of the villagers' ignorance regarding the endangered status of the birds and can be avoided by spreading awareness.