STORY: Discover migratory birds protection at Shanghai's 1st World Natural Heritage site
SHOOTING TIME: July 25, 2024
DATELINE: July 27, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:20
LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China
CATEGORY: ECOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): NIU DONGLIANG, Director of Management Center, Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve

STORYLINE:

On Friday, five nominated sites of migratory bird sanctuaries along the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf coast in China were successfully added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This includes Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve, making it the first such site in Shanghai to be included in the World Natural Heritage list.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): NIU DONGLIANG, Director of Management Center, Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve
"Globally, while many metropolises have cultural heritage sites, natural heritage sites are much rarer. This designation marks a significant milestone, recognizing over 20 years of dedicated conservation and management at our reserve. 
In 2016, we recorded over 60 whooper swans wintering at our reserve, with the number reaching up to 2,900 at its peak. In 2017, the highest record for oriental white storks observed in our reserve was 10, which increased to 72 last year. Globally, there are fewer than 7,000 black-faced spoonbills, and we recorded 170 in one observation.
Our most important task is to strengthen protection efforts so that more birds can find suitable habitats at Dongtan. We also need to step up scientific monitoring and work more closely with local communities. This will help more people get involved in the management and protection of the reserve and see the positive impact of our conservation efforts."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shanghai, China.
(XHTV)