 A Newborn Crested Ibis
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June 11, 2003 — Chinese wildlife experts announced Tuesday that 59 crested ibises were born this spring at a northern China captive breeding center, bringing the total number of the endangered birds at the center to about 250, state press said.
The 59 chicks were the offspring of 41 pairs of crested ibises at the Yangxian county captive breeding center in northern Shaanxi province, home to one of the last remaining wild habitats of the endangered species.
The endangered bird, whose origins can be traced back 60 million years, was found in large numbers in most of China, as well as Japan and Russia, hundreds of years ago.
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The decline of the species, which now only lives in the wild in China, has been attributed to the destruction of habitat, over-hunting and the increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers that have proven toxic to the bird.
In 1981, when the species was dangerously close to extinction, Chinese scientists found seven of the ibises living in the wild in Yangxian county and have been breeding them at a captive protection station ever since.
Only around 400 of the birds are believed to be living in China, both in the wild and in captivity.
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Name: Crested Ibis, aka Toki (Nipponia nippon)
Primary Classification: Ciconiiformes (Herons and Relatives) Location: The Qinling Mountains of southern Shaanxi (China) Habitat: Pine forest and adjacent rice fields, marshes, ponds and rivers. Diet: Insects, crustaceans, small fish, frogs and newts. Size: About 30 inches in length with a 55-inch wingspan. Description: Pinkish-white feathers; long, white plumes on head; long, black beak; red face; slender body; long, red legs Conservation Status: Endangered Major Threat(s): Poaching, habitat loss and pesticides. What Can I Do?: Visit BirdLife International for information on how you can help. |
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