Twenty crested ibises were released into the wild on Sunday in the Xiaolongshan forest area of northwest China's Gansu Province, marking China's westernmost and highest-altitude release of the species to date.
The birds were bred at the Longmen Forest Farm's crested ibis ecological park in Tianshui, where the population has grown from 20 introduced in 2023 to 50 today. The release marks Gansu's first wild-release effort and a milestone in establishing high-altitude populations of the species.
The release used a "soft release" method, in which the birds were moved to an acclimation cage more than 20 days in advance. The cage is designed to help them gradually adapt to the wild, with food reduced inside and feeding stations set up outside.
The 20 birds were selected after rigorous health and ability checks, including flight, foraging, and predator-avoidance skills. The group includes adult, sub-adult, and young birds to ensure genetic diversity.
The Xiaolongshan forest, located at the western end of the Qinling Mountains, offers a complex habitat of mountains, streams, wetlands, and forests -- ideal for the species.
The release site sits at over 1,500 meters above sea level, posing challenges such as long, cold winters. A monitoring team will track the birds around the clock and intervene if needed.
Conservationists hope the birds will establish a self-sustaining population in the region.
China releases 20 crested ibises in monumental high-altitude conservation effort
China releases 20 crested ibises in monumental high-altitude conservation effort
China releases 20 crested ibises in monumental high-altitude conservation effort
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Tongji University in Shanghai on Wednesday, before attending the opening ceremony of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the city on Thursday.
Stocker is paying an official visit to China until Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
While delivering a speech at the Tongji University, he put scientific research and higher education cooperation in the spotlight.
"Austria and China will build the future together, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. This requires courage, confidence and long-term commitment," said the Austrian chancellor, noting that Austria will be a trustworthy partner to China in opening a new chapter for cooperation.
At a panel discussion, participants from both countries discussed the future of science and engineering.
Recent exchanges between the Tongji University and Austrian universities focused on joint research, student mobility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering education.
"This year marks the 55th anniversary of [the establishment of] diplomatic ties between China and Austria, and 100 years [the 100th year] since Professor Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University. These two milestones invite us to look back at history. The longstanding friendship between Chinese and Austrian engineers is a vivid example of China's openness to the world," said Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology.
In 1926, Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University, helping train China's first generation of internal combustion engine specialists. A century later, his family donated historical archives and a statue of him to the university.
There has been close cooperation between the Tongji University and AVL List GmbH, which was founded by Hans List and is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for engineering, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry.
A century ago, Austria brought some of its most advanced engineering technologies to China. Today, the two countries are building on that legacy, strengthening their friendship and partnership, and driving a new wave of innovation together.
Austrian chancellor visits Tongji University in Shanghai
