ChineseToday | Guardians dedicated to endangered crested terns protection on island in SE China

Xinhua
20 May 2026, 17:15 GMT+10

(260520) -- FUZHOU, May 20, 2026 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows volunteers taking a boat heading for Simuyu Island in Lianjiang County of Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. Simuyu, a rarely-visited island in Fujian, is an important habitat for the Chinese crested tern. Known as the "bird of legend," the species is under national first-class protection in China and listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

To save the endangered species and boost its population, Fujian's ecological authorities have launched a special project for the Chinese crested terns on uninhabited islands, where staff members optimize habitat conditions and stimulate natural living settings to attract the terns for nesting and breeding.

From April to August, the migration and breeding season for the Chinese crested terns, dedicated volunteers join in the regular artificial attraction and monitoring work on Simuyu Island despite harsh conditions. The team includes graduates in ecology and animal science, forestry workers, and experienced birdwatchers.

Nowadays, solar-powered high-definition cameras enable a 24/7 real-time monitoring of the island. Staff members can observe and record the condition of the Chinese crested terns as well as the ecology environment via mobile phones and computers, providing vital data to support scientific research and population recovery. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

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