(ECNS) -- An injured white-eared night heron, confirmed as the first-level protected bird in China, was discovered in South China's Guangdong Province on Monday.
The bird was sent to the Woshui police station and natural resources bureau in Liannan Yao Autonomous County.
"This is the first time we have seen a white-eared night heron in our county," said a bureau staff member.
According to statistics, the population of wild white-eared night herons is only around 1,000, making them even rarer than giant pandas. Therefore, they are listed as one of the 30 most endangered bird species in the world.
They are called one of the world's most mysterious birds and are rarely observed by humans because they primarily inhabit secluded valleys with their nocturnal habits, solitary behavior, and lack of vocalization.
This discovery indicates that the ecological environment in Liannan has improved in recent years, the staff member added.