During the past 40 years, the number of crested ibises in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province has continued to grow. The birds don't just benefit from local environmental protection measures, but also on publicity and individual support.

While consolidating the achievements of the past few years, the local government and people paid attention to enhancing the environmental protection of crested ibises' habitats, namely, wetlands. The wetlands in Yangxian County are mainly rice fields. In order to safeguard crested ibis' feeding ground, the water storage needs to reach 10 centimeters or more all year round. To realize this, the farmers need to stop plowing and storing water in winter, a move which would bring economic losses to them. Therefore, the local government provides certain subsidies to compensate for them annually. 

Duan Wenbin, director of Crested Ibis Artificial Breeding Center said, "The negotiation with local farmers is not easy, but it still has to be done." Meanwhile, as the number of wild crested ibises increases, the injured ones appear more. As a result, outdoor wild rescues are becoming the latest development. At present, the local government is also working to restore the historical distribution area of the crested ibises' habitats which are also named as ex situ conservation. Now crested ibises can be seen in Baoji, Ankang, Tongchuan and Zhouzhi in Shaanxi Province.

Hua Ying, president of the Yangxian County Bird Watching Association said, "The protection of crested ibises is mainly based on the government and relevant institutions' work, while the Bird Watching Association is responsible for the environmental education of primary and secondary school students. If the children are well trained, then 'small hands can hold big hands,' they can promote the importance of environmental protection among their parents and many other people."

Even though people are committed to protecting crested ibises, crested ibises are also influencing people. Gradually, the villagers have begun to truly accept these "Oriental Rubies." A local villager told us that if they meet crested ibises in their own fields, they will try their best to help and protect them. Nowadays, more and more young people have invested in crested ibis protection, and the guide of the Crested Ibises Artificial Breeding Center is one of them. It is love that has kept her here. "I began to work here in 2013 and it has been six years," Director Duan Wenbin said, "My value of life can be realized." At the same time, with the increasing number of tourists, more and more people are beginning to understand the significance of protecting crested ibises and wetlands. Famous hosts Han Qiaosheng and Ju Ping also adopted two crested ibises.

Read more: 

Rescued crested ibises return to the wild

China and Japan work together to stop species extinction

(Cover image via VCG)

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