Hey there, nature lovers! 🌿 Did you know that in China, technology is giving wings to bird conservation? 🐦✨
Researchers across the Chinese mainland are using cutting-edge AI recognition and satellite tracking to protect our feathered friends as they migrate across continents. How cool is that? 🤖🚀
At Yeyahu National Wetland Park in Beijing, a major stopover for birds migrating from East Asia to Australia, 32 bird species—including the majestic white spoonbills, gray cranes, and herons—make pit stops during their epic journeys. Some of these species are under national protection.
Guo Xuxiong, head of the local scientific research and monitoring section, shared that they've installed high-definition video monitors in key areas. \"With AI recognition technology, we can clearly see the habits of different bird species, making up for the lack of manual monitoring,\" he said. 🕵️♂️📹
\"We were able to monitor the time and number of heron arrivals very accurately,\" Guo added. \"We can also regulate the water level, observing the effect of high and low water levels on their habitat, and if the water level is too high or too low, we will regulate it in time.\" 🌊
But wait, there's more! Satellite tracking allows researchers to follow migratory birds in real time. They place tiny trackers on the birds that send their locations via satellite, helping map out their migration routes. 🛰️
According to Qian Fawen, director of the National Bird Banding Center of China, their self-developed online platform lets them see the migration paths of various bird species across the country. \"We're now looking at migration paths from the last month; these black-necked cranes have returned to Zoige, Sichuan Province, indicating they have already returned to their breeding ground,\" he said. 🗺️
With this treasure trove of data, researchers can make timely and science-based conservation decisions for protected birds like black-necked cranes, whooping cranes, and oriental white storks. This includes increasing farmland habitats to provide resting and feeding areas for migrating birds. 🌾
Since birds don't care about borders, Chinese researchers are also teaming up with international counterparts to share data and collaborate on wildlife conservation. 🌍🤝
\"We've established a close exchange of information with our counterparts internationally, especially in bird banding. For example, in Japan, we have annual exchanges on red-crowned cranes, black-billed gulls, geese, ducks, and other birds. We can only protect international migratory birds if we pay attention to them and protect them together,\" said Qian. 🐦🌏
Isn't it amazing how technology and teamwork can help protect our planet's incredible birdlife? Next time you see a bird soaring above, remember there's a whole network of people and tech keeping them safe. 🥰
Reference(s):
AI, satellite technology aid migratory birds protection in China
cgtn.com
