A brown-eared pheasant is recently observed in Jiaoxian county of Lvliang, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The population of wild brown-eared pheasants, a first-level protected bird species in China, is steadily increasing and its range is expanding, experts said at a recent commemorative event in Taiyuan, Shanxi province.

The species is unique to China and mainly found in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. In 1984, the Shanxi government designated the pheasant as the provincial bird.

"In the 1980s, the brown-eared pheasant was on the brink of extinction," Yue Kuiqing, deputy director of the Shanxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau, said at the commemorative event, marking the 40th anniversary of the provincial designation.

"After more than four decades of continuous effort, significant progress has been made in the conservation of this bird," he added. "Measures such as strengthening publicity and education, habitat protection, scientific research, rescue breeding, experimental relocation and the monitoring and control of wildlife diseases have effectively improved the survival environment for the pheasants."

A brown-eared pheasant is recently observed in Qinyuan county of Changzhi, Shanxi province. [Photo by Duan Xudong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

During the event, the China Brown-Eared Pheasant Conservation Alliance was established, with more than 90 experts, scholars and animal conservationists in attendance. They shared their research experiences and discussed conservation efforts.

The draft of the China Brown-Eared Pheasant Conservation Alliance Cooperation Mechanism was reviewed and approved.

"We hope that the establishment of the alliance will further strengthen the conservation of the brown-eared pheasants and promote the high-quality development of biodiversity," Yue said. "We also hope to make new and greater contributions to the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature in modern construction."

A survey found that the population of brown-eared pheasants in Shanxi is around 19,000, with a distribution area of about 12,000 square kilometers.

A brown-eared pheasant is recently observed in Qinyuan county of Changzhi, Shanxi province. [Photo by Duan Xudong/for chinadaily.com.cn] 

A brown-eared pheasant was recently observed in Qinyuan county of Changzhi, Shanxi province. [Photo by Duan Xudong/For chinadaily.com.cn] 

Brown-eared pheasants were seen recently in Qinyuan county of Changzhi, Shanxi province. [Photo by Duan Xudong/For chinadaily.com.cn] 

Brown-eared pheasants were seen recently in Qinyuan county of Changzhi, Shanxi province. [Photo by Duan Xudong/For chinadaily.com.cn]