On May 29, 2023, the staff of Manas National Wetland Park Administration found the trace of the glossy ibis, a national first-class protected wild animal, during their daily patrol in the core area of the wetland. According to Ma Ming, a researcher at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this is the first time that the nest of glossy ibis is found in Xinjiang.

A total of 8 glossy ibises were detected, much of the bird’s body is maroon in color, with the wing coverts presenting green and purple colors. When they were discovered, the glossy ibises were hatching eggs in the reeds of the wetland shoals. One of the glossy ibis became a neighbor to a pallas's gull, presenting an interesting scene. The glossy ibis is mainly distributed in the southeastern coastal areas and Yunnan Prefecture of China, and eats aquatic insects, shrimp and crustaceans. Glossy ibis has not been observed in China for many consecutive years. Chinese Red List of Endangered Animal Species once announced that the glossy ibis was extinct in China, and its population was lesser than that of its close relative, the crested ibis, which is a national first-class protected animal. In 2021, it was adjusted as a national first-class protected wild animal. Glossy ibis was first recorded in the Kashgar Prefecture in 2011, which also became a new record for birds in Xinjiang in 2011. According to incomplete statistics, glossy ibis has been found and recorded in Ili Prefecture, Urumqi City, and other places in Xinjiang, but there is no evidence of reproduction of glossy ibis in Xinjiang.

Wang Li, a cadre of Wildlife Protection Department at the Manas National Wetland Park Administration, said, "We only found two glossy ibises at the first time. After two consecutive days of monitoring, we recorded a total of 8 adult glossy ibises, and they have been breeding here. It is expected that the number of glossy ibises in the wetland will reach over 20 in more than 20 days.”

Manas National Wetland Park is an important habitat and breeding ground for migratory birds in the world, as well as an "energy replenishment station" for them to fly over the Tianshan Mountains. The vast water area, abundant food, and beautiful natural ecological environment here are the main reasons why the glossy ibises inhabit Manas National Wetland Park. (Reporter: Walisjan)

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