Rare Chinese Merganser Chicks Hatch in Jilin’s Wild Haven

Nature lovers, rejoice! The critically endangered Chinese merganser duck—often dubbed China\u2019s \u2018avian treasure\u2019—has welcomed a new generation of fluffy chicks in the pristine forests of Jilin\u2019s Changbai Mountain.

These strikingly crested birds, classified as a first-class protected species in China, are making a delicate comeback during their annual April-May breeding season. Footage shows chicks taking their first waddles under the watchful eyes of parent ducks, a sight conservationists call \u201ca heartening victory\u201d for biodiversity.

Changbai Mountain, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, serves as their key sanctuary, offering clean rivers and dense forests crucial for survival. With fewer than 3,000 mature mergansers left globally, every hatching season counts.

\u201cThis is like a real-life \u2018March of the Penguins\u2019 moment—but for ducks,\u201d said local eco-guide Li Wei. \u201cIt\u2019s proof that protective measures here are working.\u201d

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Reference(s):

Live: Chinese merganser chicks hatch in northeast China – Ep. 4

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