The "most mysterious bird in the world" in Weiyuan, Sichuan was released back into the wild and found its "family"!

More than half a month ago, local villagers discovered a Hainan bittern chick in the Shibanhe Scenic Area in Lianjie Town, Weiyuan City, Sichuan Province. It was later sent to Neijiang City for rescue by forestry and other departments.

As one of the 30 most endangered birds in the world, the Hainan bittern is so rare that it is called "the most mysterious bird in the world." According to media reports, the Hainan bittern is a bird native to China, with only about 1,000 in the wild, which is rarer than the giant panda. Therefore, it is listed as one of the 30 most endangered birds in the world. On May 10, the Weiyuan County Public Security Bureau of Sichuan Province reported that a few days ago, the local Lianjie Police Station successfully rescued a Hainan bittern baby bird.

Photo of releasing young birds from Weiyuan Media

On May 24, a Red Star News reporter learned from the Neijiang Fire and Rescue Department that the Fire and Rescue Department had assisted relevant departments in releasing the Hainan bittern chick back into the wild. It is understood that the reason for releasing it was that the natural resources and planning department found the Hainan bittern's nest, parent birds and another chick at the site where the chick was found.

The bird's nest, adult bird and another chick were found. Photo by Xie Dakuan. Courtesy of Weiyuan Media

The Hainan bittern is a first-class protected animal in China. According to media reports, it is a bird endemic to China, with only about 1,000 in the wild, which is even rarer than the giant panda. Therefore, it is listed as one of the 30 most endangered birds in the world.

Rescued Hainan bittern

Red Star News reporter learned that after the Hainan bittern chick was found, it was carefully fed and rescued by Neijiang Zoo and is in good condition. Experts believe that the bird has met the conditions for release and will learn to fly and forage with its parents to improve its ability to survive in the wild.

The adult bird was found. Photo by Cao Shijun. Courtesy of Weiyuan Media

It turned out that when the Hainan bittern chick was rescued on May 5, the police searched the surrounding area for 200 meters but did not find its nest. But recently, the Weiyuan County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau continued to investigate and monitor the area around the chick, and with the help of local villagers, found the Hainan bittern's nest, parent bird and another chick.

On May 23, the Weiyuan County Bureau of Natural Resources and Natural Resources, with the assistance of the Weiyuan County Fire Rescue Brigade and other departments, jointly released the young Hainan bittern back into the wild. In order to continuously monitor the survival of the released young Hainan bittern and its parents, the relevant departments also added 4 infrared cameras in the area around the release site.

Photo of releasing young birds from fire department

It is reported that this is the second time that Hainan bittern has been discovered in Weiyuan. In 2021, Yuexi Town in the county rescued and recorded the species for the first time.

Ni Tingting, Liu Li, Lin Yuqian, Red Star News reporter Yao Yongzhong