A glossy ibis, a national first-class protected wild animal in China, was once again spotted at Tonghu National Wetland Park in Huizhou, Guangdong, five years after its last recorded sighting in the city.
A birdwatcher photographed the bird foraging in shallow water during a routine patrol. Its dark chestnut feathers shimmered with bronze, green and purple hues in the sunlight.
Glossy ibises are sensitive to habitat conditions, water quality and food availability, making them useful indicators of wetland health. The species was once considered extinct in China, having gone unrecorded for nearly 70 years before reappearing in 2003.
Located along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Tonghu National Wetland Park has seen improvements in its ecological environment through habitat restoration, water quality management and regular monitoring. The park has recorded 439 vascular plant species and 220 vertebrate species, including three national first-class protected wild species in China: the glossy ibis, yellow-breasted bunting and black-faced spoonbill.
Volunteer patrols and bird protection campaigns are also helping safeguard wildlife. Since 2025, Huizhou has removed more than 1,300 illegal bird-catching nets and handled 38 cases involving birds and other wildlife.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photos | Huizhou Huimintong (惠州惠民通)
