Twenty crested ibises, a first-class nationally protected bird species, from the Hanzhong Crested Ibis National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi province, arrived at the Xiali Forest Farm under the Lyuliang Mountain State-owned Forest Bureau in Linfen city on July 29, marking Shanxi's inaugural effort to introduce and rebuild the crested ibis population.

The Lyuliang Mountain base for the crested ibis population restoration project. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Historically, Lyuliang Mountain was part of the ibis's natural habitat, and its ecological conditions have significantly improved in recent years. With approval from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, these crested ibises have been relocated to Lyuliang Mountain for release into the wild.

To ensure the comfort of these ibises, Xiali Forest Farm has constructed a 5,024-square-meter, 40-meter-high standardized wild breeding net. The facilities feature suitable wetlands, roosting trees, and winter protection measures, providing an optimal "ecological home" for their flight and foraging training.

Given the ibises' sensitive and timid nature, which makes them prone to stress, Xiali Forest Farm has equipped the breeding cages with protective soft nets to prevent injuries. On the night of the birds' arrival, a dedicated management team took shifts to monitor conditions, with all creatures currently stable.

"This cross-province introduction of crested ibises fills a gap in Shanxi's ibis population, advances the collaborative protection of rare birds, and enhances regional biodiversity conservation," said Wang Yongjie, an official from Lyuliang Mountain State-owned Forest Bureau.