INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
In recent years, Xining Wildlife Park in northwest China's Qinghai Province has gained national attention for its charismatic wildlife,
including snow leopards, Pallas's cats and Chinese mountain cats
But less known is its long-running work in rescuing and breeding black-necked cranes.In 2023, a crane named "Qianhe" was born at the park
Its mother had been rescued after an injury left her stranded in the wild.To ensure Qianhe's healthy development, the park built a dedicated
birdhouse and assigned two staff members to monitor its care around the clock.Now fully grown, Qianhe stands as a symbol of the park's
success in assisted breeding
With over a dozen black-necked cranes currently housed at the park, staff are preparing them for eventual release into the wild
Training programs to build survival skills are already underway.Thanks to such efforts, the protection of black-necked cranes has made
In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature downgraded the bird's status from vulnerable to near threatened.Endemic to the
Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the black-necked crane is the world's only alpine crane species
Because of its rarity and striking black-and-white plumage, it is sometimes called the "giant panda among birds." The species is highly
sensitive to changes in its wetland environment, making it a valuable indicator of ecosystem health.For a time, their numbers dwindled due
to habitat loss and water pollution
In Qinghai, the authorities responded with sweeping ecological restoration measures, repairing wetland functions, banning industrial
activity near key habitats, and launching rescue and breeding programs.One such region lies at the southern foot of the Qilian Mountains,
where a river basin fed by glacial melt and groundwater had suffered from illegal coal mining, damaging local pastures and wetlands.To
reverse the damage, mining operations were halted, and in 2022, a large-scale restoration project for the river basin was launched
It included replanting native grasses, rehabilitating wetlands, and restoring the riverbanks
Officials say the efforts have already improved habitat conditions.Today, the black-necked crane's return serves as the most compelling
evidence of ecological restoration in the area.Li Laixing, a 67-year-old associate researcher with the Northwest Institute of Plateau
Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has spent decades tracking the cranes.Based on habitat density estimates, Qinghai is now home
to roughly 5,000 black-necked cranes
Monitoring data shows over 100 known distribution points across the province."Protected areas are seeing less human interference and more
lush vegetation, which means more food sources for the cranes," he said.Beyond counting cranes, his recent research has focused on studying
their migratory stopover points – "stepping stones" along their routes that serve as critical resting and feeding grounds."By mapping
these sites, we can help refine conservation zones across provinces and ensure the birds are protected throughout their entire migration
journey," he said.The story of black-necked crane conservation in Qinghai reflects a broader national effort
In recent years, China has prioritized ecological protection as part of its ecological civilization strategy, with biodiversity conservation
recognized as a key national goal.According to official data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, populations of rare
and endangered wild species in China have shown steady growth, reflecting the country's significant progress in biodiversity
conservation.The total number of overwintering waterbirds recorded in China reached nearly 5.06 million last year, a record high since
nationwide monitoring began."Black-necked cranes are an indicator species of ecological health on the plateau," Li said
"Their numbers are clearly rising, and their protection has become a model for biodiversity conservation in China."(Cover: Black-necked
cranes are seen by the Qinghai Lake in the Haibei Zang Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, northwest China, June 26, 2025
