Final Report - Asian Development Bank

96
TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 5
The rapid population increase in recent years is due to protection,
including legislation, management of population and habitat, and
regular surveys and monitoring. A reintroduction programme has
been started to protect the population from a chance catastrophe
such as communicable diseases within its limited range 5 .
Threats & constraints: Main threats are habitat loss, human disturbance (including
disturbance caused by human recreation, tourism, and hunting). The
captive population at Louguantai Rescue & Breeding Center numbers
over 220 and is at risk of high losses due to disease.
Research, survey and management recommendations
Update knowledge: Continue long-term field study to describe Crested Ibis biology,
ecology, and regional distribution on seasonal and spatial bases;
compile a database of all historic roost and nest records and locations.
Prepare GIS databases and maps of locations and other records;
identify habitat preferences and delimit critical habitats. Describe the
status of the captive and wild populations.
Conservation: Prepare a review of protection actions, plans, methods and results.
Prepare a National Crested Ibis Conservation Action Plan for
implementation in the proposed Project area, in the Qinling nature
reserves, and in other prospective re-introduction sites within the
former range of the species; assess the extent of coverage of critical
habitats (foraging, roosting, and nesting habitats) by the protected area
system; make recommendations for extensions of protected areas to
enhance protection
Species survival: The captive population of over 420 birds is excessive for breeding
needs, increases disease risk, and calls for urgent implementation of a
re-introduction program. Accelerate dialog with IUCN World
Conservation Union, Species Survival Commission, Stork, Ibis &
Spoonbill Specialist Group for release of captive birds: Cooperate with
IUCN SSC to prepare national and international re-introduction plans.
Target sites should be the best protected wetlands in northeast China
and in former range states Russia and North and South Korea.
Capacity building: Train reserve wardens and researchers to record and report nest and
roost locations using GPS equipment, and to record locations and group
sizes/compositions. Provide field study equipment as needed.
Public awareness: Carry out public awareness campaigns to alert the public to the
conservation program and elicit public support for conservation of
Crested Ibis and their habitats.