Extinct bird finds new lease of life
Source: Xinhua |
May 25, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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THIRTY years ago, the majestic crested ibis was assumed to be extinct. Liu Yinzeng believed otherwise, and his faith paid off when he rediscovered seven of the wild birds in northwest China's mountains. Today, the species' population exceeds 1,600.
When 75-year-old Liu returned to the exact spot, 30 years after he caught sight of the majestic birds in Shaanxi Province, he released a domestically bred crested ibis back into the wild.
In total, 20 crested ibis -10 couples three to four years old - were released on Monday, the 30th anniversary of the rediscovery, after being trained to live in the wild.
"I witnessed a miracle in China's protection of wildlife," Liu gushed.
The crested ibis (nipponia nippon), also known as the Japanese crested ibis, is large with white plumage, and before the 1930s had thrived in Japan, China, Russia and the Korean peninsula. But its population fell sharply due to wars, natural disasters, hunting and other human activities. It was believed to be extinct after the last five wild birds were allegedly caught and caged in Japan.
But Chinese researchers never gave up searching for the species, and after three years they were rewarded on May 23, 1981, in Yaojiagou Village in Shaanxi. "That night, I saw a crested ibis fly across the sky. We ran after it and found a pair of crested ibis and three fluffy babies in the woods," Liu said.
Eventually, the search group found seven crested ibis that day and the conservation campaign was launched.
"The rediscovery was the last ray of hope to save the species," said Zhang Xiwu, director of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management Division of State Forestry Administration.
But to save the species, a strict regiment had to be followed. "Employees were required to protect every baby bird and every egg round the clock. They fixed knives and protection nets around the three to protect them from snakes and other predators," said Ding Haihua, director of the Crested Ibis Nature Reserve in Hanzhong City.
In 1990 an artificial breeding project was launched, and it has bred seven generations of crested ibis. Today China has two wild habitats for crested ibis and six artificial breeding centers.
When 75-year-old Liu returned to the exact spot, 30 years after he caught sight of the majestic birds in Shaanxi Province, he released a domestically bred crested ibis back into the wild.
In total, 20 crested ibis -10 couples three to four years old - were released on Monday, the 30th anniversary of the rediscovery, after being trained to live in the wild.
"I witnessed a miracle in China's protection of wildlife," Liu gushed.
The crested ibis (nipponia nippon), also known as the Japanese crested ibis, is large with white plumage, and before the 1930s had thrived in Japan, China, Russia and the Korean peninsula. But its population fell sharply due to wars, natural disasters, hunting and other human activities. It was believed to be extinct after the last five wild birds were allegedly caught and caged in Japan.
But Chinese researchers never gave up searching for the species, and after three years they were rewarded on May 23, 1981, in Yaojiagou Village in Shaanxi. "That night, I saw a crested ibis fly across the sky. We ran after it and found a pair of crested ibis and three fluffy babies in the woods," Liu said.
Eventually, the search group found seven crested ibis that day and the conservation campaign was launched.
"The rediscovery was the last ray of hope to save the species," said Zhang Xiwu, director of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management Division of State Forestry Administration.
But to save the species, a strict regiment had to be followed. "Employees were required to protect every baby bird and every egg round the clock. They fixed knives and protection nets around the three to protect them from snakes and other predators," said Ding Haihua, director of the Crested Ibis Nature Reserve in Hanzhong City.
In 1990 an artificial breeding project was launched, and it has bred seven generations of crested ibis. Today China has two wild habitats for crested ibis and six artificial breeding centers.
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