China's giant panda research base said on Sunday that it has
hatched one Chinese monal (Lophophorus
lhuysii) egg, a bird as rare as the giant panda, and covering a similar
range.
The rare bird, native to alpine shrubs of over 3,000 meters
above sea level, is one of the largest pheasants in the world. It is listed on
China's first-grade state protection as there are fewer than 3,000 left in the
wild.
There are only 11 captive birds in Fengtongzhai National
Nature Reserve in Sichuan.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding said the
center and the reserve as well as the China West Normal University set up a lab
in March to pass on experience in panda breeding to the protection of birds.
More eggs are expected to hatch soon.
The panda base has engaged with experts from the World
Pheasant Association.
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