Currently, at Shuangbai County in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, infrared cameras from Konglonghe Prefectural Nature Reserve captured a footage of green peafowls harmoniously eating with silver pheasants, jungle fowls, red muntjacs and other animals.

The green peafowl is the only native peafowl species in China, known as the “Green elf,” the king of birds, and embodiment of phoenix. It is a globally endangered species and is classified as critically endangered in China, receiving special protection.

Green peafowls. Photo by Deng Xiong

Konglonghe Prefectural Nature Reserve is the largest and best-preserved habitat for green peafowls, with the highest concentration of their population in China. Prior to 2003, green peafowls in Shuangbai County were only scattered in two areas, with a population of 8 to 10 groups totaling around 50. According to monitoring data from infrared cameras in recent years, as of the end of 2022, the population of green peafowls in Shuangbai County was estimated to increase gradually to around 304 in 49 groups, truly becoming a "green peafowl sanctuary."

Silver pheasant. Photo by Li Shengchang

Golden pheasant. Photo by Yan Qian

Konglonghe Prefectural Nature Reserve boasts excellent ecological conditions and rich biodiversity. Apart from green peafowls, it is home to many animals under the first-class national protection such as black-headed pheasants, pythons, and forest musk deer. It also houses nationally secondary protected animals like gorals, macaques, golden pheasants, silver pheasants, jungle fowls, and king cobras, as well as nationally key protected wild plants including Yunnan cycads, wild buckwheat rhizomes, alsophila spinulosas, and braineas. They enriched the biodiversity landscape of Chuxiong Prefecture.

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(Editors: Ines, Amy)