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Southwest China's Yunnan Province has been working to create a safe haven for the black-necked crane, a rare species under China's first-class national protection, with the adoption of a series of conservation measures over recent years.
The black-necked cranes, dubbed the "panda of birds", mainly inhabit swamps, lakes, and floodplains at an altitude of 2,500 to 5,000 meters. Their food includes plant leaves, rhizomes and algae.
The presence of the black-necked cranes is a sufficient indicator of the health conditions of the plateau wetland ecosystem.
At present, the overwintering process of black-necked cranes is basically over, and they begin to migrate to their breeding grounds in Yunnan's neighboring province of Sichuan and parts of northwest China.
Due to abundant rainfall in 2024, water levels across the wetlands are relatively stable, and the areas of wetlands are also broader than in previous years in Huize County of Qujing City in Yunnan Province. The continuous precipitation has proven to be a boon for the grassland vegetation growth, enhancing the habitat of black-necked cranes.
Along with the implementation of a series of conservation measures, an appropriate natural environment has been created for the overwintering of black-necked cranes, and there are more and more black-necked cranes wintering in the local region, according to local staff.
"At the end of last year, we organized protectors to clear the long-stalked crops around the wetlands and further reduced disturbances of human activities," said Feng Zhenglin, chief of the Resource Protection Section of the Management Bureau of Yunnan Huize Black-Necked Crane Nature Reserve.
In recent years, modern conservation measures in various wintering grounds for migratory birds in Yunnan have been continuously improved with the application of technological means to ensure the safe wintering of black-necked cranes.
The Yunnan Dashanbao National Nature Reserve for Black-Necked Cranes, located in Zhaoyang District of Zhaotong City, is the most significant wintering habitat and transfer station for migratory black-necked cranes on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.
At present, the Yunnan Dashanbao National Nature Reserve is collaborating with other institutions in the country to operate drone patrol pilot projects and adopt flyway protection initiatives for migratory birds.
"The drones can intelligently identify the black-necked crane and other waterbirds. They can also count their numbers, significantly improving our work efficiency," said Zhao Zijiao, director of the Research Institute of Yunnan Dashanbao National Nature Reserve Management Bureau.
In addition, 70 sets of video surveillance equipment and 30 sets of electronic fences at the National Nature Reserve of Black-Necked Cranes in Huize have been upgraded and renovated, creating a safer habitat for black-necked cranes and other migratory birds.
"If someone invades the protected areas or enters unauthorized areas, the platform will issue an alert. Our staff can then use this equipment and platform to monitor the intruders in real-time and gather on-site evidence," Feng said.