On Nov. 12th , a bird enthusiast in the Yellow River Story Theme Park photographed five aythya baeris in Sanmenxia- a national Class I protected animal. It was the time that the most of such birds were found in Sanmenxia in recent years.

It is known that aythya baeris are migratory birds, which are classified as "critically endangered" species on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. At present, it is widely believed that the global population of the aythya baeri is more than 1500, which is called the "giant panda among birds" and is regarded as a good indicator of ecology and environment.

   Han Tieyan, the first batch specially invited researcher of whooping Swan in Sanmenxia, once participated in the nationwide simultaneous survey on the overwintering of aythya baeri. According to her introduction, in the winter of 2020 and 2021, the census results of common aythya baeri in Sanmenxia were 0 once and 1 once.

    The bird enthusiast who captured the photo were also part of the simultaneous investigation team of aythya baeri. The fiveaythya baeris were swimming in an artificial lake in the Yellow River Historical Theme Park that afternoon.

    On November 13rd, Han Tieyan and his team visited the park again. After searching, they found two aythya baeris not far away from the Yellow River . "The aythya baeris found here are both male and female. The one with the brighter colour is male and the other is female." Han Tieyan said.

    According to the report, the five aythya baeris must have just arrived at Sanmenxia,This critically endangered species, which are picky about where they live, prefer smooth open water with abundant aquatic plants. They were also spotted in the park's artificial lake last year.

In addition to the aythya baeris, there are some other precious birds found in artificial lakes of this park, including falcated teals, gadwalls,mallards, fulica atras and little grebes.