The Hindu : Karnataka News : End of ibis’ endangered status?

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

End of ibis’ endangered status?

XI’AN (CHINA): A pair of artificially bred red ibis that were among the first batch of 26 released into the wild a year ago in northwest China have produced three chicks.

The pair began to build their nest on a tall Chinese pine tree near Zhujiazui village in Ningshan County of Shaanxi province, in February, and the female produced three eggs between March 15 and 19. The chicks hatched about one month later.

“The successful breeding of [the] red ibis in the wild indicates the end of its endangered status is nearing,” said Chang Xiuyun, Shaanxi Wildlife Conservation Association’s deputy secretary-general. “It also provides very good experience for the restoration of this species in its historical habitats.” Thirteen pairs of artificially-bred red ibis, aged two to three years, were released on May 31 last year at Zhaigou village, in an area with dense populations of loach, eel and fingerlings, typical prey of the red ibis.

Red ibis were once widely found in China, Russia, and Japan, but have been on the verge of extinction since the 1950s. Chinese experts discovered seven wild red ibis in Yangxian county, Shaanxi in 1981. They were believed to be the only wild red ibis living in the world at that time.

Through more than 20 years of protection, the number of red ibis in China has surpassed 1,000, including about 550 in the wild. — Xinhua

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