Four new species of wild birds under national protection have been recently spotted in Baiyangdian, a major wetland in north China, local authorities have said.
There are now 242 wild bird species in Baiyangdian, an increase of 36 species since the establishment of the Xiong'an New Area in 2017, according to the administrative committee of the new area, where Baiyangdian is located.
Of the total, there are 10 wild bird species under first-class state protection, and 44 species under second-class state protection.
The environmental protection of Baiyangdian has been reinforced since the Xiong'an New Area was established. Baiyangdian's water quality has improved, and Xiong'an has designated nine bird habitats in the wetland, which is subject to a year-round hunting ban.
Xiong'an has also adopted a "government, non-governmental associations plus volunteers" management model to mobilize the whole society to participate in the protection of birds. At present, there are more than 2,000 bird protection volunteers.
