24 little mandarin ducks "Anjia" Sub-center Green Heart Park

　　Beijing Zoo will use GPS satellite tracking and on-site monitoring to observe the adaptation and survival of mandarin ducks; over 600 wild mandarin ducks in Beijing area

　　Beijing News (Reporter Zhang Lu) Yesterday, 24 little mandarin ducks departed from the Ming Tombs Breeding Research Base and came to the sub-central city Lvxin Forest Park for wild release.

The little mandarin duck was only 45 days old, and it was brought to life by the Beijing Zoo using artificial nest box attracting technology and artificial incubation.

"After the wilding release, it was followed up and monitored on the spot for 3 consecutive days," said Cui Duoying, a researcher at the Beijing Zoo Key Laboratory.

　　Little mandarin ducks flying with scientific research missions

　　Yesterday morning, the Beijing Zoo staff carefully carried 4 small boxes to Fuze Lake in Green Heart Park.

Fuze Lake is located in the southeast of the park, where the water surface is wide, the aquatic plants are abundant, and the water lilies are in full bloom.

After the box was opened, the little mandarin duck who had been traveling for a long distance saw the beautiful scenery in front of him, was stunned for a while, tried to probe the probe, and suddenly fluttered his wings and flew.

After plunged into the water, the mandarin ducks gathered together to play in the lotus, and the calm lake surface added a bit of agility.

　　According to Cui Duoying, before the flight, the technicians performed a health check, a ring log, and a GPS tracker for the mandarin ducks.

"They will fly with scientific research missions."

　　In the next 3 days, technicians will follow up and monitor on the spot, and then conduct on-site observation and monitoring once a month to collect scientific data.

In the future, the Beijing Zoo will use GPS satellite tracking and direct observation of the wild release site to carry out scientific monitoring to observe the adaptation and survival of the released mandarin ducks to the wild habitat.

　　More than 600 wild mandarin ducks in Beijing

　　Mandarin ducks are national II-level key protected wild animals. Due to habitat destruction, human interference and illegal hunting, the domestic mandarin duck population once dropped to 1,500 to 2,000 pairs. It was once a rare "traveling bird" in Beijing.

Investigation in 2009 showed that there were less than 100 of them, and no breeding records were reported.

　　According to Zhang Chenglin, deputy director of Beijing Zoo, with the support of Beijing Park Management Center, Beijing Zoo has started to carry out the science of reproduction ecology, habitat selection and utilization, feeding habits and feeding behavior, migration and diffusion of mandarin ducks in 2009. Research and conquered mandarin duck artificial breeding technology, mandarin duck artificial recruitment technology, mandarin duck wild release technology, and created a wild mandarin duck population rejuvenation technology system.

At the same time, more than 300 mandarin ducks have been reintroduced into Beijing city parks and suburban rivers and lakes for more than 10 consecutive years.

　　According to the survey at the end of 2020, the population of wild mandarin ducks in Beijing has risen to more than 600, forming a stable population of wild mandarin ducks.

　　■ Dialogue

　　8 mandarin ducks wearing location trackers

　　Since 2009, Cui Duoying has participated in the zoo's mandarin duck artificial breeding project.

How did the little mandarin ducks hatch?

He revealed the secret to a reporter from the Beijing News.

　　Beijing News: Why does the zoo set up artificial nest boxes for mandarin ducks?

What are the characteristics of these nest boxes?

　　Cui Duoying: During the breeding season in April and May, mandarin ducks lay their eggs in tree holes.

However, the number of natural tree holes is not enough. At the same time, the tree holes may cause harm to the trees, and the accumulation of water in the tree holes may accelerate the decay and fall of the trees. From a safety perspective, the city garden department will block the tree holes.

　　The artificial nest box we set is designed with reference to the parameters of the natural tree hole. It is hung on a tree four to five meters high. There will be a small ladder made of barbed wire in the nest box. To the entrance of the cave, jump out of the cave.

　　Beijing News: Why do technicians artificially incubate mandarin ducks?

　　Cui Daying: Mandarin duck eggs are smaller than eggs, and they are white.

There are about 11 eggs in a nest, and they are laid flat on the bottom of the hole.

Under normal circumstances, we will not intervene.

But sometimes, three or four mandarin ducks lay their eggs in the same nest, resulting in some tree holes or artificial nest boxes with more than 30 eggs, making it difficult for mandarin ducks to hatch.

In this case, we will take out the excess eggs for artificial incubation.

When picking eggs, we will find some sawdust as a cushion material to prevent knocking the eggs.

　　Beijing News: What are the steps for artificial incubation?

　　Cui Duoying: The bird's artificial incubation technology in Beijing Zoo is mature and the survival rate is high. We choose to artificially incubate in the Ming Tombs Breeding Research Base with less human interference.

　　We put these eggs in the incubator and set the appropriate temperature and humidity.

In the early, mid- and late-stage, the temperature and humidity settings are different. For this reason, we consulted a lot of information and tried repeatedly.

The incubation process also involves technical details such as turning the eggs and drying the eggs.

Turn the eggs to ensure that each egg can feel the same temperature on all sides.

After 29 days, the mandarin duck came out of its shell, and we will put it in the nursery box and raise it a little bit.

　　Beijing News: What are the standards and links before the mandarin ducks are released?

　　Cui Duoying: First of all, the number of days for mandarin ducks to grow after they emerge from their shells should reach 45 days or more, so that their feathers are more plump and complete, and their flying ability is better.

We need to evaluate their flying ability, ability to judge and avoid natural enemies, and ability to take food.

Before flying, mandarin ducks need to undergo a veterinarian's physical examination, including epidemiological investigations, to ensure that healthy mandarin ducks are released into the wild.

　　Every mandarin duck released must be ring-marked, and they have an exclusive number issued by the National Bird Ring Marking Center. Among them, 8 mandarin ducks wear a global satellite positioning tracker so that we can scientifically monitor their survival in the wild and study the migration patterns of mandarin ducks in Beijing urban areas and migration channels. Therefore, these little mandarin ducks are not simply reintroduced into the wild, but are released with scientific research tasks.