Zhalong Nature Reserve

Zhalong Nature Preserve
扎龙国家级自然保护区
扎龍國家級自然保護區
zhālóng guójiā jízìránbǎohùqū
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)

Red-crowned cranes at the Zhalong Wetland
Map showing the location of Zhalong Nature Preserve

Location within Heilongjiang

Location Heilongjiang, China
Nearest city Qiqihar
Coordinates 47°05′17″N 124°19′12″E / 47.088°N 124.32°ECoordinates: 47°05′17″N 124°19′12″E / 47.088°N 124.32°E[1]
Area 2,100 km2 (810 sq mi)
Established 1979

Zhalong Nature Preserve (simplified Chinese: 扎龙国家级自然保护区; traditional Chinese: 扎龍國家級自然保護區; pinyin: zhālóng guójiā jízìránbǎohùqū) is a wetland reserve in Heilongjiang province, China.[2]

Zhalong Nature Reserve entrance

History

Established in 1979, the 2,100 km2 (810 sq mi) marshland is a major migratory route for birds from the Arctic migrating to South East Asia and is one of the few breeding grounds in the far east for the Marsh Grassbird Megalurus pryeri. Its ponds and reeds make it an ideal home for over 300 different species of birds. It is protected by the Chinese government. Within the park, a large flock of Red-crowned Cranes is held in captivity for conservation purposes.

Migratory birds

This marsh reserve serves as a stopover and nesting area for a large number of storks, swans, herons, grebes and other species.[2] Lying on a migration path stretching from the Russian Arctic around the Gobi desert to South East Asia the land under this preserve is used by migrating birds between April and October.[2]

Notes

  1. Zhalong Nature Reserve protectedplanet.net
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Riley 2005: 195

References