A Chinese egret is recently seen perching on a branch in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong province. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

A group of wild Chinese egrets were recently seen and photographed in Zhanjiang. This is the first time that accurate image data of Chinese egrets have been recorded in the city.

"The collection of image data of Chinese egrets is undoubtedly a valuable asset for the bird conservation work in Zhanjiang," said a staff member of Zhanjiang's bird lovers association.

Two Chinese egrets stand in the water and search for food. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

The Chinese egret is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. There are currently about 3,000 Chinese egrets around the globe, including nearly 1,000 in China, which are mainly found in the southeast coastal areas of China.