A black stork was recently spotted for the first time in Manhai Mountain National Forest Zone in Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The black stork is a rare bird under China's first-class national protection.
The black stork is a rare bird under China's first-class national protection. /VCG Photo
When bird enthusiasts found a large wading bird playing and searching for food along the Lancang River in the Manhai Mountain National Forest Zone, they identified it to be a black stork as a result of its features. From its black plumage, with white underparts, to its long legs and a long pointed beak.
They contacted the Wuliang Mountain National Nature Reserve administration of Yunnan Province to identify and offer protection for the bird.
"After more than ten days of observation, we confirmed that the bird is the black stork which is under first-class national protection. We made the conclusion based on the bird's size, beak, legs and other features and after consulting relevant materials and discussing with experts," said Shi Guocai, a staff member of the Wuliang Mountain National Nature Reserve's administration.
Several black storks were spotted earlier this year in Taiyuan city, Shanxi Province in northern China. /VCG Photo
This is the first time a black stork has ever been spotted in Manhai Mountain National Forest Zone. Experts conjured that the black stork is half adult, separated from its flock during migration to the south of China. And since temperatures are warm and fish abundant in the area, the bird stopped to spend the winter there.
A flock of black storks were spotted earlier this year in north China's Hebei Province. /VCG Photo
The black stork is a large wading bird, totaling about 1,000 in China. It is listed as first-class wildlife species under special state protection, which makes it as precious as the giant panda.
The black stork is a large wading bird, totaling about 1,000 in China. 、VCG Photo
The local administration has taken measures to strengthen the supervision and protection of the bird.
"We have arranged two shifts every day to supervise the bird and record relevant data and video footage, then summarize and report them to the higher authority. We have also increased efforts in publicizing protection of the bird to nearby residential areas, so as to ensure the bird will spend the winter safely in Nanjian County," said Shi.
The black stork is a rare bird under China's first-class national protection. /VCG Photo
In recent years, many other rare animals have been spotted in the Lancangjiang River area, as the environment here is getting increasingly better.
"In recent years, we have spotted the black stork, the Hume's pheasant, apes, jungle fowls and other wild animals under special state protection in Manhai Mountain National Forest Zone. It shows that the ecological environment here is getting better and better year on year. In the future, we will continue to strengthen the supervision and protection of the ecological environment and wild animals here to preserve the green barrier for Lancang River," said Shi.
(All images via VCG)
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