A look at volunteers’ dedication in southeastern China to save the crested tern, a critically endangered seabird

Simuyu, a rarely visited island in Fujian Province, southeastern China, is an important habitat for the China crested tern. Known as the ‘legendary bird’, this species is under national Class I protection in China and is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To safeguard the endangered species and boost its population, Fujian ecological authorities launched a dedicated project for the China crested tern on uninhabited islands. On those islands, staff optimise habitat conditions and encourage natural ecosystems to attract the birds to nest and breed. From April to August, the migratory and breeding season for the China crested tern, dedicated volunteers participated in habitat-attraction engineering and routine monitoring on Simuyu Island despite challenging conditions. The team is made up of graduates in ecology and zoology, forestry workers, and experienced birdwatchers. Currently, solar-powered high-definition cameras enable real-time monitoring around the clock on the island. Staff can observe and record the China crested tern and its ecological environment via mobile phones and computers, providing vital data to support scientific research and population recovery.