From the world's last seven to a global population of more than 5,000, China spent nearly 40 years bringing back crested ibises（朱鹮） from the edge of extinction.
With its typical red crest and face, as well as a long black mouth and snow-white feathers, the crested ibis is known as the "Oriental Gem" in China. They were once widespread in East Asia and Siberia until the 20th century when hunting, ecological damage, and increased human activities drove the birds to near extinction.
In 1981, the entire species around the world was down to the seven crested ibises which were found only in Yangxian County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and deep in the Qinling Mountains, making Qinling, a natural boundary between China's north and south, the "Noah's Ark（诺亚方舟）" of the wild bird.
Since 1981, the local government of Yangxian County has put forward four bans for the
protection of the species, prohibiting activities including hunting in the birds' living areas, cutting down trees where they nest, using chemicals in their food-finding areas, and firing guns in their breeding（繁殖） areas. The Chinese government arranged special funds to protect the habitat of crested ibises, sealing off mountains to plant trees in the birds' living areas. China started the artificial breeding of crested ibises in 1991 and has bred more than 400 birds in Shaanxi.
Years of constant effort have brought promising results. It is estimated that there are more than 5,000 crested ibises in the world now, and about half of them live in Shaanxi. The bird's habitat in China has risen from less than five square kilometres in 1981 to the current 15,000 km².
"It is lucky that the crested ibis, an ancient bird, is still flying around," said Zan Linsen, head of the Shaanxi Academy of Forestry. "The conservation story of crested ibises not only shows us the power of ancient life but also the necessity and urgency of ecological environment protection."
