An endangered white-eared night heron—a stealthy bird described as one of nature's 'ghosts'—has been sighted four years in a row in the misty Ailao Mountains of Yunnan Province, southwest China! 🌿 This mysterious species, native to China and Vietnam, is under top-level protection in China and classified as endangered globally by the IUCN.
'Finding this bird is like spotting a rare Pokémon,' said Zhao Xuebing, a Yunnan University researcher who helped track the heron. The team recorded calls suggesting more birds nearby, sparking hopes for a hidden population. 🎙️🔍
In a high-tech twist, experts tagged the 594-gram heron with a satellite tracker after its release, aiming to decode its secretive lifestyle. 📡 'This is big for conservation,' said Li Xingzhi of the Ailao Mountains National Nature Reserve.
With its striking amber eyes and camouflage feathers, the heron’s repeated appearances signal cautious optimism for biodiversity in China's lush mountain ecosystems. 🌄✨
