Critically endangered white-eared night heron spotted in Zigui for the first time
2025-06-27 19:06:27
By Ma Yuhan, Zhou Ziheng
A critically endangered white-eared night heron, a national first-class protected wild animal, was rescued in Zigui Thursday, marking the first recorded sighting of this elusive bird in the area.
A critically endangered white-eared night heron, a national first-class protected wild animal, was rescued in Zigui Thursday, marking the first recorded sighting of this elusive bird in the area.
Photo by Peng Qiang.
After a comprehensive health check, the rare avian visitor was safely released back into the wild.
The bird was discovered Thursday morning by staff of the Zigui Sixi Ecological Scenic Area during a routine patrol. "It looked very weak and couldn't fly normally," recounted Chen Hongjun, deputy general manager of the scenic area.
Photo by Peng Qiang.
After conducting online research and identifying it as a nationally protected animal, the staff contacted the Zigui County Forestry Administration.
Photo by Peng Qiang.
Mei Chun, a staff member of the Forestry Administration, confirmed the bird to be a white-eared night heron. "The white-eared night heron is a national first-class protected wild animal," Mei explained. "With only about 1,000 remaining in the wild, it’s one of the 30 most endangered bird species in the world."
Endemic to China, the bird is known for its elusive, solitary and nocturnal nature, making sightings exceptionally rare.
Following a thorough health assessment, the bird was deemed to be in stable condition. To minimize human interference, staff fed it a few fish and released it back into its natural habitat.
According to the latest statistics, more than 30 species of national first-class and second-class protected wild animals, including the golden eagle, dwarf musk deer, and cinereous vulture, have been documented within the Zigui area, underscoring its importance as a wildlife sanctuary.
