China’s population of endangered crested ibis has risen to 2,600 from the original 7 after 30 years of breeding and protection, according to Shaanxi Environmental Protection Bureau.

The species used to be widespread in eastern China, Japan, Russia, and North Korea. However, its population plummeted due to environmental deterioration.

This bird species did not get much attention until 7 of the remaining wild crested ibis population were only found in Yang County, Shaanxi Province, in the 1980s.

During the past three decades, the province has been stepping up efforts to protect the endangered crested ibis and carry out research into artificial breeding of the creature.

At present, the population of crested ibis in China has reached about 2,600 and the species are also found in Japan and South Korea.

Moreover, their habitat area has expanded to 14,000 square kilometers from only 5 square kilometers during the period.