The remarkable journey of the crested ibis, reintroduced into the wild in 2024, showcases the bird’s incredible endurance and navigational prowess.
Record-Breaking Migration
• Departing from Dongying, Shandong Province, the bird soared across the coastal terrain, navigating turbulent air currents over the Bohai Sea. • Maintaining speeds of 30-50 km/h, it covered nearly 200 kilometers without landing. • The bird’s remarkable journey redefines the species’ potential, renewing hope for population recovery in eastern wetlands. The crested ibis’s navigational precision was put to the test as it completed its record-breaking journey across China’s eastern coast and the Bohai Sea.
Tracking the Bird’s Progress
Satellite data confirmed the bird’s health remained stable post-journey, with robust vital signs recorded on Saturday.
| Location | Vital Signs |
|---|---|
| Dongying, Shandong Province | Robust vital signs |
| Tianjin | Robust vital signs |
| Cangzhou, Hebei Province | Robust vital signs |
| Binzhou, Shandong Province | Robust vital signs |
The bird’s remarkable journey has redefined the species’ potential, renewing hope for population recovery in eastern wetlands.
Expert Insights
• “This migration redefines the species’ potential, renewing hope for population recovery in eastern wetlands,” said Liu Dongping, a bird expert. • “The ibis’s capability for international migration could eventually restore populations and even migrate to Japan, Republic of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and elsewhere,” noted Wang Andong, a senior engineer at Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve.
Current Conservation Efforts
• Six reintroduced ibises, four of which are being tracked by satellite, are currently under observation in Shandong’s coastal habitats. • Three or four pairs, known for their strong survival skills, will join this year’s second reintroduction phase, aiming to establish a stable wild population. The crested ibis, once near extinction, is now a first-class protected animal in China, revered as “oriental gem.”
Conservation Status
The crested ibis is considered an endangered species, with its population dwindling to only a few hundred individuals in the wild. It is classified as a “first-class protected animal” in China, and its conservation is of great importance to the country.
Conclusion
The crested ibis’s remarkable journey showcases the bird’s incredible endurance and navigational prowess, renewing hope for population recovery in eastern wetlands. Its conservation status remains a priority, and continued efforts are necessary to protect this magnificent species.
“Once near extinction, the crested ibis is now a symbol of hope for conservation efforts in China.
