Critically Endangered White-necked Cranes Flock to Weize

Shuzheng Qijin (Jiuqing Daily Special Correspondent Chen Qihai Qin Benlin Correspondent Wang Shichun) Recently, a group of large birds were perched and playing around on trees at Huayiluhu in Xinqie Township, complementing the spring scenery. These were a group of special 'guests' – the world endangered species Crane.In recent years, Xinqie Township of Jiuqing has increased its environmental protection efforts, implementing ecological conservation forests, returning farmland to forest, and small stream remediation projects. The mountains by Huayiluhu have turned green, and the water has become clear, resulting in significant improvements in the ecological environment. During this time, Crane has gathered in groups along the shore of Huayiluhu in Xinqie Township. Some were standing, some were playing and competing for food, some were grooming each other's feathers, some were resting on trees, some were standing by the lake, and some were foraging in the shallow water.

The provincial PDP delegation to Jiuqing for poverty alleviation, Wang Shichun, said: ‘These water birds are Crane, which belongs to endangered species. They arrived at our beautiful Huayiluhu shore before Qingming Festival, totaling about 60-70 individuals.’

It is reported that Crane is a migratory bird species, which was listed as Vulnerable species by the World Conservation Union in 2013. China first discovered it in Yunnan in 2006. This year, Crane also appeared at the Huayiluhu shore in Xinqie Township, Jiuqing.

Wang Shichun said: ‘In recent years, Zhatang Village has increased the efforts to improve the living environment. The ecological environment around the entire Huayiluhu has been improving year by year. White egrets, black-crowned night herons, seagulls and other ten kinds of water birds will come to our beautiful Huayiluhu to live. Especially in winter, there are four to five thousand cranes coming to our Huayiluhu to spend the winter.’