The rare brown eared pheasant, a bird species under first-class national protection in China, is experiencing a remarkable population increase in North China’s Shanxi Province. A recent two-year survey reveals that the average number of these pheasants has reached approximately 19,000, with their habitats expanding across the region.
Once on the brink of extinction in the 1980s, the brown eared pheasant’s resurgence is a testament to over 40 years of dedicated conservation efforts. Yue Kuiqing, deputy director of the Shanxi Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau, highlighted the progressive measures that have been instrumental in this revival. Initiatives such as habitat protection, scientific research, and breeding programs have significantly improved the species’ living conditions.
The pheasants are now distributed in four geographical areas, including Lyuliang Mountain and Taihang Mountain, spanning 45 counties and districts in eight cities within Shanxi. Compared to the 1990s, there’s been a notable increase in both the number of areas where the species is found and in its overall population.
Endemic to China, the brown eared pheasant is recognized by its dark brown plumage and distinctive white tail feathers. Wild populations are mainly found in provinces such as Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, and regions around Beijing, with the Lyuliang Mountain area serving as the core habitat. In 1984, the Shanxi government designated the brown eared pheasant as its provincial bird, underscoring its cultural and ecological significance.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
