The elusive white-eared night heron, one of the most endangered members of the heron family, has been spotted once again in the Ailao Mountains of southwest China’s Yunnan Province. This marks the fourth consecutive year that this rare bird has been seen in the region.
According to Li Xingzhi, an official with the Ailao Mountains National Nature Reserve, the heron, indigenous to China and Vietnam, was recently captured by a team of experts during a bird-banding operation. The adult bird weighed 594 grams and measured 63.2 centimeters in length.
“Bird calls could be heard nearby that night, indicating the presence of more than one such bird,” said Zhao Xuebing, a PhD student from Yunnan University who participated in the operation. This suggests that a small population of the species may be inhabiting the area.
The white-eared night heron is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and is under first-class state protection in China. Its continued presence in the Ailao Mountains offers hope for its conservation.
After its capture, the heron was equipped with a satellite tracker and released back into the wild. Researchers aim to monitor its movements to better understand its habits and facilitate ongoing conservation efforts.
“The data collected will be invaluable in helping us protect this rare species,” Li Xingzhi added. “It highlights the importance of preserving their natural habitat.”
Reference(s):
Endangered heron found in SW China's mountains for 4-years running
cgtn.com
