Baer's Pochard (file photo)
The number of Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri) in China has reached 2,555, according to the latest global data reported recently.
The Baer's Pochard is a national first-class protected diving duck in China. Since 1990s, the population of Baer's Pochard has dropped sharply due to habitat loss, over-hunting, human interference and other factors. They have been listed as "critically endangered" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Notably, in just 11 years, the number of Baer's Pochard observed in Wuhan has expanded from zero to 540, accounting for over one-fifth of the national total and ranking top among China's megacities. (en.hubei.gov.cn by Ruan Xinqi)