Large Eurasian Eagle-Owl Population Discovered in Yunnan Province

On March 13th, information from the Yuxi Municipal Publicity Department of Yunnan Province announced that the Eurasian eagle-owl had been observed in the Xingyun Lake National Wetland Park in Jiangchuan District, Yuxi City. A total of 21 Eurasian eagle-owls were detected during the monitoring, which is the largest population found in China so far.

Picture: Eurasian eagle-owl population appears in Jiangchuan, Yuxi. Photo taken by the Yuxi Municipal Publicity Department.

The Eurasian eagle-owl is a second-level protected animal in China, with its plumage mostly copper-brown, a long and downward-curved beak, and a beautiful shape, which is easily identifiable. In the 1998 edition of ‘Chinese Endangered Animals Red Book,’ the World Conservation Union declared the Eurasian eagle-owl to be extinct in China domestically.

Picture: Eurasian eagle-owl population appears in Jiangchuan, Yuxi. Photo taken by the Yuxi Municipal Publicity Department.

Since 2012, Yunnan Province has recorded the Eurasian eagle-owl on more than 20 occasions, mostly as a solitary bird or small population. The discovery of 21 individuals in Jiangchuan District is the largest group recorded.

Picture: Eurasian eagle-owl population appears in Jiangchuan, Yuxi. Photo taken by the Yuxi Municipal Publicity Department.

It is reported that in recent years, Jiangchuan District of Yuxi City has vigorously promoted the restoration of the Xingyun Lake ecological system and the construction of the wetland lakeside belt. The detected national wetland has aquatic plants and small fish and shrimp living in dense reeds, which is very suitable for the Eurasian eagle-owl to hunt and live. (Completed)