A rare bird classified as a national first-class protected species, often called the "world's most mysterious bird," was recently rescued in Yangshan County and transferred to the Qingyuan Wildlife Rescue Center for care.
The Hainan night heron (Gorsachius magnificus), a species endemic to China, was discovered on the evening of March 20 at a hydropower station in Yangmei Forestry Center. A staff member spotted the unfamiliar bird and immediately reported it to forestry authorities. Experts later identified it as the critically endangered Hainan night heron.
Forestry staff followed emergency protocols, coordinating with municipal authorities and the wildlife rescue center. The bird was safely transported and arrived at the rescue facility in the early hours of March 21.
With fewer than 1,000 adult individuals remaining in the wild, the Hainan night heron is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is nocturnal and highly reclusive, inhabiting dense mountain forests near clean water sources—making it a sensitive indicator of ecological health.
Yangshan County, located in the ecological barrier of northern Guangdong, has a forest coverage rate of 73.72% and maintains the largest area of ecological public welfare forests in the province. The successful rescue highlights the county's ongoing conservation efforts, which include coordinated patrols, strict law enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
This marks the second appearance of a globally rare bird species in the area, following the recent sighting of the black stork, often referred to as the "giant panda of birds."
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Yangshan County Forestry Bureau
