Rare crested ibis to settle in Shanxi

North China's Shanxi province will select suitable habitats to pilot the introduction of crested ibis, so as to enhance the biodiversity of the province. 

The crested ibis is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and it is under first-class national protection.

Over the years, Shanxi has implemented national projects involving natural forest protection, returning farmlands to forests, and controlling sand sources in the Beijing-Tianjin area. Thanks to this, the province's forest vegetation coverage has significantly increased. The habitats of wild animals have been further improved, leading to a steady growth in the province's wildlife population and plant variety.

To enhance the precision and efficiency of its ecological surveying and monitoring work, the province will utilize modern technological methods, such as satellite tracking, bird ringing, and animal collaring, in addition to traditional approaches, such as line transect methods, sample plot inventory work, and infrared cameras tracking. 

At the same time, the province is accelerating construction on a wildlife conservation data management system. An intelligent protection system for wild animals and plants will also be established within the year based on the wildlife conservation data.

Law enforcement actions will also be carried out to crack down on illegal activities such as poaching, over-harvesting, and unauthorized excavation work, so as to better protect the province's wild animals and plants as well as their habitats.