Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
In late April, 12 glossy ibises appeared in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, South China's Hainan province. The bird species is under national first-level protection, and the appearance of this number is a record high for the island province.
They flew in groups across the wetland, their wings glinting in the sunlight as they danced through the air in search of food.
The glossy ibis, characterized by its long, curving beak and green and redish-brown body, was once believed to be extinct in China. The 2021 edition of the list of State-protected wildlife elevated the glossy ibis from a national second-class protected animal to the highest level of protection — the strictest level-one designation.
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
Xue Meili, the deputy director of the Haiwei National Wetland Park's management center, recorded the 12 glossy ibises. According to her, the 12 glossy ibises observed during this monitoring period had achieved a new record high for the number of glossy ibises ever recorded in Hainan, and it was the first time the glossy ibis had been documented in Changjiang.
Xue said the glossy ibis' presence in the wetland park is of great significance to the study of local biodiversity and the ecological environment. It also provides monitoring data and a scientific research basis for the study of rare animals.
The arrival of these rare birds adds to the vibrant tapestry of local biodiversity and offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of the ecological environment, said Xue. She added that the glossy ibises provide essential monitoring data and a solid scientific research foundation for studying rare animals.
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
"Haiwei National Wetland Park has been committed to conservation efforts that have not only rejuvenated the ecosystem but have also created a flourishing habitat that beckons a diverse array of wildlife, including some of the rarest and most elusive species," said Xue.
So far, 207 species of birds have been documented within the wetland park. Of these feathered inhabitants, 41 species hold the distinguished status of being under national key protection.
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
Glossy ibises make their debut appearance in Haiwei National Wetland Park in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province on April 27. [Photo by Xue Meili/for chinadaily.com.cn]
