The white-bellied heron was sent to an animal protection organization in Kunming. [Provided to InKunming]

[InKunming--Yunnan]  A white-bellied heron, which is classified as one of the critically endangered rare birds in world, was found in Liuku Town, Lushui County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan. The global population of white-bellied heron has declined to around 500, threatened by disturbance and habitat degradation.

The white-bellied heron was found in a construction site in Liuku Town, Lushui County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. This is the first time that white-bellied heron appeared in Yunnan, as well as the first time that a clear video of white-bellied heron was shot in China. Local residents said they have never seen this kind of bird before. It was sent to an animal protection organization in Kunming.

The white-bellied heron was a little bit weak when it was first found, but gradually got recovery after receiving treat and cure. When it was found, it was 122 centimeters long and 126 centimeters high, with a pair of 53-centimeter-long wings and a 15.5-centimeter-long culmem.

White-bellied heron (Ardea insignis), also known as imperial heron or great white-bellied heron, is a species of large heron found in foothills of the eastern Himalayas in India, northeastern Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan. The heron is mostly dark grey, but with a white throat and underparts.

White-bellied herons are usually found in wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests in foothills of the eastern Himalayas of India and Myanmar. They are also spotted in Bhutan's sub-tropical areas and were once found in Nepal. At present, the white-bellied heron has been evaluated as critically endangered rare bird for its extremely small population.

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(Editors: Tracy, Cathy Chen)