Over 300 endangered oriental white storks have recently arrived at the Nandagang wetland in Hebei Province, north China, tripling the number observed during the same period last year, according to the wetland’s management office.
Listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), oriental white storks have strict requirements for their living environments. Only wetlands with abundant food, ample water sources, and a high-quality ecological environment can serve as their habitats.
Nandagang wetland, located in Cangzhou City, is a crucial stopover and breeding site along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. In recent years, efforts to restore the natural wetland ecosystem—including water bodies, shallows, and habitat islands—have significantly improved the area’s ecological health.
As a result of these conservation initiatives, more than 100,000 migratory birds were monitored in Nandagang wetland in 2023, a substantial increase from 20,000 in 2019.
With the peak of the spring migration approaching, the wetland management office is enhancing daily patrols and monitoring through a combination of AI technology and manpower. “We are committed to ensuring the safe migration and breeding of these birds,” said Meng Zhaolei, director of the Nandagang wetland and bird nature reserve management office.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
