Black-necked cranes rebound as China boosts biodiversity efforts
XINING (July 18): At Xining Wildlife Park in northwest China's Qinghai Province, animal keeper Li Xiaoqing walked past the crane enclosure while on a video call with her daughter.
'Mom, your black-necked crane is calling you again?' her daughter exclaimed through the screen, her voice filled with curiosity.
Since joining the park in 2013 after graduating with a degree in veterinary medicine, Li has cared for a diverse range of animals, including zebras, kangaroos, and parrots.
Three years ago, she took on the responsibility of caring for black-necked cranes.
'Black-necked cranes are different from other birds. They're proud and indifferent – when most people try to get their attention, they don't react,' she said.
'When they rest, they often stand on one leg with their heads tucked under their wings.'
Her eyes lit up as she spoke, as if showing off her own children.
In recent years, Xining Wildlife Park has gained national attention for its charismatic wildlife, including snow leopards, Pallas's cats and Chinese desert cats.
But less known is its long-running work in rescuing and breeding black-necked cranes.
In 2023, a crane named 'Qianhe' was born at the park. Its mother had been rescued after an injury left her stranded in the wild.
To ensure Qianhe's healthy development, the park built a dedicated birdhouse and assigned two staff members to monitor its care around the clock.
Now fully grown, Qianhe stands as a symbol of the park's success in assisted breeding. With over a dozen black-necked cranes currently housed at the park, staff are preparing them for eventual release into the wild.
Training programmes to build survival skills are already underway.
Thanks to such efforts, the protection of black-necked cranes has made significant progress. In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has downgraded its status from vulnerable to near threatened.
'After spending so many years with them, I've developed a deep emotional bond,' Li said.
'To me, each crane is like a child– each one carries the hope of life.'
Endemic to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the black-necked crane is the world's only alpine crane species.
Because of its rarity and striking black-and-white plumage, it is sometimes called the 'giant panda among birds'.
The species is highly sensitive to changes in its wetland environment, making it a valuable indicator of ecosystem health.
For a time, their numbers dwindled due to habitat loss and water pollution.
In Qinghai, authorities responded with sweeping ecological restoration measures – repairing wetland functions, banning industrial activity near key habitats, and launching rescue and breeding programmes.
One such region lies at the southern foot of the Qilian Mountains, where a river basin fed by glacial melt and groundwater had suffered from illegal coal mining, damaging local pastures and wetlands.
'There was a time when livestock that drank the river water developed darkened organs,' one resident recalled.
'The black-necked cranes vanished. People saw them as symbols of good luck – so their disappearance worried everyone.'
To reverse the damage, mining operations were halted, and in 2022, a large-scale restoration project for the river basin was launched. It included replanting native grasses, rehabilitating wetlands, and restoring the riverbanks.
Officials say the efforts have already improved habitat conditions.
Today, the black-necked crane's return serves as the most compelling evidence of ecological restoration in the area.
Li Laixing, a 67-year-old associate researcher with the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has spent decades tracking the cranes.
Based on habitat density estimates, Qinghai is now home to roughly 5,000 black-necked cranes. Monitoring data shows over 100 known distribution points across the province.
'Protected areas are seeing less human interference and more lush vegetation, which means more food sources for the cranes,' he added.
Beyond counting cranes, his recent research has focused on studying their migratory stopover points – 'stepping stones' along their routes that serve as critical resting and feeding grounds.
'By mapping these sites, we can help refine conservation zones across provinces and ensure the birds are protected throughout their entire migration journey,' he said
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a black-necked crane at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. – Xinhua photo
The story of black-necked crane conservation in Qinghai reflects a broader national effort. In recent years, China has prioritised ecological protection as part of its ecological civilisation strategy, with biodiversity conservation recognised as a key national goal.
According to official data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, populations of rare and endangered wild species in China have shown steady growth, reflecting the country's significant progress in biodiversity conservation.
The total number of overwintering waterbirds recorded in China reached nearly 5.06 million last year – a record high since nationwide monitoring began.
'Black-necked cranes are an indicator species of ecological health on the plateau,' Li Laixing said.
'Their numbers are clearly rising, and their protection has become a model for biodiversity conservation in China.' – Xinhua black-necked crane China Xinhua Xining Wildlife Park
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Breaking barriers: Malay student scores top marks at Chinese-medium school
KOTA KINABALU: Sending his son to the Chinese independent school Sekolah Menengah (SM) Tshung Tsin here was a deliberate decision by academician Professor Dr Mohammad Adam Bakar to expose him to a multicultural environment. The Saito Graduate School director, who hails from Kedah, said growing up in Peninsular Malaysia shaped his awareness of ethnic silos in schools and social circles. That experience, he said, led him and his wife to choose a different path for their children. "I started by placing them in mixed kindergartens, then in SK St Simon Fung, and finally SM Tshung Tsin. It felt like the natural choice," he told the media after his son, Mohammad Arif, received the Sabah Excellence Scholarship during a ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre here. The father of four, who spent over two decades at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as an academician, said Sabah's social fabric was a stark contrast to what he was accustomed to in the peninsula. "In Peninsular Malaysia, we talk about 'masyarakat majmuk' (plural society) but ethnic boundaries are still very clear. In Sabah, those lines are blurred. People interact more freely across communities. "I want them to have a mixed background, rather than having all Malay friends. They should mix with others and see other cultures. "I think Sabah is still the best place to do that," he said, adding that his wife, who is an accountant, is of Chinese descent. Asked about language barriers at SM Tshung Tsin, Mohammad Adam said his son adapted well as his Chinese friends were helpful. For 18-year-old Mohammad Arif, studying in a Chinese-medium school was once a daunting experience. But after years of adapting, he not only thrived but emerged among the top students in Sabah by scoring 9A+ and 1A in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). "At first it didn't feel good because I was adapting to a new environment. Language was a challenge. "But after a couple of years, especially after Covid-19 settled down, I managed to get a grip, do better in classes and be more social. "For a long time, I didn't know what to do, but after SPM I sat down and thought about it properly. That's when I realised this is the path I want," he said, adding that he aims to become a chemical engineer by pursuing A-Levels before applying to a university in the UK or Australia. The young student, who also represented his school in football, said his success was the result of both the school's strong academic system and his personal determination. "The system is good enough for me to get through it, and I added my own effort." Mohammad Arif was among 117 students who received scholarships from the state government.
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Community leaders pay final respects to adoptive father of well-known social activist Kent Tan
A SON'S GOODBYE: Kent Tan Chow Teng (second from left with while T'Shirt) together his mother (with walking beside) at the late Bobby Tan Say Kuan's wake Jelutong Memorial Park in Batu Berendam, accompanied by state and NGO leaders. MELAKA: Community leaders and members gathered to pay their final respects to Bobby Tan Say Kuan, the adoptive father of well-known social activist and lawyer Kent Tan Chow Teng. Say Kuan passed away peacefully on July 18 at a nursing home in Ayer Keroh here following complications from liver cirrhosis, a condition he was diagnosed with recently. He had celebrated his 67th birthday on July 5 at the home as Kent, as the only son, had no choice but to arrange for nursing care as his mother was preparing for back surgery. Among those who attended the wake on Sunday (July 20) were Melaka State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Kerk Chee Yee, Melaka entrepreneur development, cooperatives and consumer affairs committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin and former state executive councillor and current chairman of International Labour Care Organisation (ILCO), Datuk M.S. Mahadevan. Overcome with emotion but determined to honour his father's wishes, Kent reminded mourners to find comfort in his father's legacy rather than sorrow in his passing. 'My dad didn't want anyone to be sad and that was his last wish,' he said when interviewed at the wake. Despite the grief, Kent said he was deeply touched by the turnout and the support shown by members of the public. 'He was a modest and kind-hearted man. "If reincarnation truly exists, I would choose to be born as his son in every lifetime,' he added. Kent's mother, Cindy Yeo Inn Inn, 63, shared that her son had insisted on a burial instead of cremation, wanting to uphold traditional filial piety and visit his father's grave each year during Qing Ming, the annual tomb-sweeping festival observed by the Chinese community. 'I told Kent that he may one day have to move to another state or go abroad and might not be able to visit regularly. 'But my son was firm and said he would always make time to remember and honour his father when we decided not to cremate my late husband, she said. Qing Ming holds deep cultural importance among the Chinese community, symbolising remembrance and respect for one's ancestors. Kent, 32, had previously shared with The Star on July 7 how he was adopted after being born to his biological parents in Johor on Aug 10, 1993. His adoptive parents had also been open about the adoption from the beginning, always reminding him that he came into their lives as a divine blessing. A familiar face in Melaka's cultural and social circles, Kent is fluent in seven languages and dialects, including Hainanese, Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Malay, English and Mandarin. He currently serves as chairman of the Heng Leng Lion and Dragon Dance Association and acts as legal adviser to more than 20 temples and social organisations in the state.
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Community wades in to clean Sg Kayu Ara
It was his first time volunteering for a river clean-up and Angus Kong was visibly sweating from the effort. By the end of the event, the non-governmental organisation Kelab Komuniti Kita vice- president was too glad to flop into a chair to catch his breath. The tired bachelor, however, has no regrets taking part. Participants clear away close to half a tonne of rubbish from Sungai Kayu Ara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Along with some 30 other volunteers, he helped to remove close to half a tonne of rubbish within a 500m radius from Sungai Kayu Ara, near the site of Kampung Cempaka Flood Retention Pond in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 'Though the clean-up was within a small area of the river, I feel a deep satisfaction. 'It gives me a good feeling to know that we have made a difference, as the site looks clean now,' said Kong. Though not a resident of Kampung Cempaka, Kong, a Kuchai Lama resident from Kuala Lumpur, said he was motivated to take part after speaking to residents in the area. 'There were different stories from different generations. 'Those in their 70s and even 30s, have told me that they can still remember bathing in Sungai Kayu Ara. They would fish and catch eels by the river. 'However, those in their 20s say their parents did not allow them to even go to the river for safety reasons,' said Kong. Old tyres, pipes and plastic bags that have been fished out from Sungai Kayu Ara. This difference made Kong realise how far and quickly the water quality has degraded in Sungai Kayu Ara that flowed through several industrial and populated residential areas. Though he was realistic about how much the water quality could be improved from a clean-up, he hoped the initiative would spark river pollution awareness among the present generation. Assorted rubbish The river clean-up programme that Kong and other volunteers took part in was the first for Kampung Cempaka, a Chinese new village in Petaling Jaya. Volunteers, who had gone into the foul-smelling waters of Sungai Kayu Ara, pulled out all kinds of rubbish. While most were plastic bags, mineral water bottles and gardening waste, also making into the half tonne pile of rubbish collected by the riverbank were old clothing, discarded food cans, parts of a rusty zinc roof and a 3m-long plastic pipe. Volunteers from Petaling Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) said these types of junk were nothing compared to what they had experienced in their line of duty. 'We have pulled up larger items like refrigerator, mattress and sofa,' said Azmi Ahmad, a public assistant with Petaling DID, whose one-year-old daughter joined in the event. Some believe the junk may have been dumped at secluded riverbanks by fly tippers, he said, adding that there were also those who treated rivers as a place to dump waste. As for smaller items like plastic bags and bottles, public littering was mentioned as a main cause. When rubbish is thrown indiscriminately, they get blown into waterways, possibly through storm drains, added Azmi. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor John Leong, who organised the river cleanup, said the programme at Kampung Cempaka Flood Retention Pond in Lebuh Bandar Utama was a pilot project. The goal, he said, was to scale up public participation. 'This will not be a one-off event, but I plan to make this a regular activity with clean-ups taking place monthly or several times a month. 'We plan to do one more clean-up for World Rivers Day at the end of September, where participation will be open to the public,' he said. Volunteers hauling the collected rubbish from the river into a roll-on roll-off bin provided by MBPJ. Expenditure for the clean-up in Kampung Cempaka was RM5,500, he added. The money was spent on buying personal protection equipment like wet suits, nets and gloves for the volunteers. Another RM2,500 was used for the rental of tent, chairs and tables as well as food catering and use of a generator. A little goes a long way River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (Redac) director Chang Chun Kiat said river plogging and local clean-ups are not only cleaning tools. They are, he said, also important contributors to data collection and citizen engagement that shaped the River Health Index (RHI), a framework that included physical, chemical and biological indicators, as well as sociological factors such as public access, community involvement and awareness. 'Despite its limited scope, such clean-up programmes can improve water quality at the targeted stretch, particularly in terms of poor aesthetics by reducing the presence of visible waste that can contribute to flooding. 'Community-based river monitoring initiatives have shown that regular river plogging activities, held weekly or biweekly, can lead to noticeable improvements, especially in terms of dissolved oxygen and reduced floating debris,' said Chang, adding that if nothing was done, the consequences could be dire. Redac is the research arm of Universiti Sains Malaysia's Engineering Campus, commissioned by DID through its Humid Tropics Centre division in Kuala Lumpur (HTC-KL) to refine the RHI. HTC-KL is part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's hydrological programme. Chang said one of the most immediate and visible consequences of rivers with rubbish in Malaysia was the increased risk of flash floods, especially in urban areas. 'Large volumes of floating and deposited rubbish block stormwater drains, culverts and river channels, reducing their carrying capacity. 'This is a major concern among government agencies, engineers and the public. These blockages disrupt natural water flow, turning moderate rainfall events into destructive floods, damaging infrastructure and livelihoods,' he said. Chang added that when rubbish remained in rivers, it became a source of continuous pollution. 'Plastics, heavy metals, oils and untreated organic waste release toxins and harmful substances into the water. 'This not only affects the appearance and smell of the river, but also leads to unsafe levels of chemical, biological and physical contamination. 'This makes the water unfit for human consumption, agricultural use and aquatic ecosystems.' Chang added that water supply agencies must then spend more resources on advanced treatment processes, driving up costs and straining municipal systems. In rural areas, untreated river water may directly threaten public health. 'There is also the threat to aquatic life and biodiversity. Aquatic organisms are particularly vulnerable. 'Fish, amphibians, birds and invertebrates often ingest plastics or become entangled in waste, leading to injury, starvation or death. 'As plastic waste degrades into microplastics, it enters the food chain, affecting not only wildlife but also humans who consume fish and use river water. 'Over time, entire ecosystems may collapse, with species decline and habitat loss becoming irreversible without major intervention,' said Chang. Call for more involvement Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, who is also Bandar Utama assemblyman, hopes the river clean-up project will result in ideas on more diverse methods to improve the river condition in Kampung Cempaka through small-scale projects. 'This is not only about cleaning the river, but also the surrounding environment. 'We could maybe have plants around the area. 'We also want to look at how we can get our students, especially those from universities or high schools, to join us and understand how rivers can be protected and kept clean. 'Most importantly, this programme will give our team more first-hand experience when it comes to handling environmental issues or when we want to improve certain river conditions. 'It will also help to strengthen relationships within the community,' said Jamaliah. She hoped there would be new and different faces taking part in future clean-up events in Kampung Cempaka. She also hoped the event would kickstart an awareness campaign on nature appreciation and river care in Bandar Utama. 'At the same time, it is a way for us to provide a platform for residents who enjoy serving their community,' she said.
