Recently, the Chengdu area of the Giant Panda National Park welcomed a rare visitor — the black-necked crane. On March 31st, staff at the Dasuanping Station of the Dayi Management and Protection Headquarters of the Park captured footage of this national first-class protected animal during their patrol in Xiling Snow Mountain.

In the video, the crane is seen pausing from time to time and strolling leisurely. Even when it noticed people approaching, it did not panic or take flight, but continued moving calmly. This precious sighting not only adds special significance to International Bird Loving Day but also serves as a vivid illustration of the theme ‘Guard the Feathered Spirits, Build an Ecological Home Together’ in the Chengdu area of the Giant Panda National Park.

As a rare and endangered bird species, the black-necked crane has extremely high requirements for its ecological environment, making it a living indicator of regional ecological quality. The appearance of the crane in Xiling Snow Mountain reflects not only Dayi County’s long-standing commitment and deep efforts in ecological protection but also marks a significant achievement in the comprehensive advancement of bird conservation in the Chengdu area of the Giant Panda National Park.

Sitting at the convergence of two major global migratory routes, the East Asia–Australasia Flyway and the Central Asia–South Asia Flyway, the Chengdu area of the Giant Panda National Park spans the Qionglai and Minshan mountain ranges. With a vertical elevation difference of up to 4,500 meters and a complex and diverse topography and ecological environment, the area provides an ideal habitat for birds. To date, around 600 bird species have been recorded in the region.