China succeeds in breeding red ibis
( 2003-12-05 11:21) (Xinhua)
China has reported success in breeding red ibis, a rare bird that had
decreased to only seven in the world in the early 1980s, but which had increased
to over 500 by November.
The number and living habitat of red ibis has extended to several counties
besides Yaojiagou area of Yangxian county, where the first seven wild red ibis
were found in May 1981, according to the forestry department of Shaanxi
Province, northwest China.
Dubbed the "oriental jewel", the red ibis is one of the most endangered bird
species in the world and has been listed under state protection. The first
artificial incubation of red ibis succeeded in 1989 in China.
China set up a special breeding base of red ibis in the temperate zone in
Shaanxi province in 2001. Last year it brought in 30 pairs of red ibis from the
subtropical Yangxian county and has succeeded in the artificial incubation,
according to the department.
Figures show that 30 pairs of wild red ibis gave birth to about 65 last year
and 41 pairs have birthed 59 this year. A couple of wild ibis were spotted
breeding in the wild 1,100 meters above sea level, indicating the food resource
and environment had kept improving and the living ability of red ibis had been
increased, said the scientists.
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