The first successful field breeding of crested ibis in southern China

The reporter learned from the Wildlife Protection Station of the Forestry Department of Zhejiang Province that following the successful wild reproduction of the crested ibis in northern China, the Xiazhu Lake crested ibis breeding base in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, also successfully released the crested ibis in the wild on May 20, which is the first time in the south and a major breakthrough in the expansion of the crested ibis population in China.

At present, the crested ibis is extremely endangered in the world, and it is a national first-class key protected animal, which is called "Oriental Gem". In 1981, there were only 7 birds in Yang County, Shaanxi Province. In 2008, Zhejiang University and Deqing County jointly launched the "Crested Ibis off-site Conservation and Zhejiang population Reconstruction Project". Five pairs of Crested Ibis were introduced from Shaanxi and settled in Xiazhu Lake. Then the Crested Ibis successfully bred their offspring, and last year, the population reached 146.

On November 12 last year, the crested ibis breeding base in Xiazhu Lake implemented the wild release plan of the crested ibis, and the six-year project finally took an important step. After months of close follow-up, researchers were pleasantly surprised to find that the crested ibis not only survived tenaciously, but also officially entered the breeding season in late January this year.

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