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Meet Li Xia, the wildlife guardian working to save the crested ibis—a symbol of ecological hope—by breeding them under conditions mirroring their natural habitat. His innovative approach? Redirecting water through terraced fields to create streams and wetlands, mimicking wild environments to prepare these rare birds for life beyond captivity.
\"If they forget how to thrive in nature, we’ve failed,\" Li says. His team’s hands-off strategy ensures the birds retain survival instincts, from hunting to nest-building. With fewer than 10,000 crested ibises globally, this effort is critical for biodiversity.
Once nearly extinct, the species rebounded after being rediscovered in China’s Shaanxi province in 1981. Now, Li’s work offers a blueprint for conservation that balances human intervention with wild resilience.
His innovative approach? Redirecting water through terraced fields to create streams and wetlands, mimicking wild environments to prepare these rare birds for life beyond captivity.
Meet the Wetland Heroes Saving China’s Milu Deer!
