"This is a global first for Baer's pochard rewilding," Ding Changqing, a professor at Beijing Forestry University and head of the China Baer's Pochard conservation and monitoring working group, said.

The natural breeding and rewilding project, launched in 2022 by Beijing Forestry University, the Hengshui Lake reserve authority and Beijing Zoo, successfully established the world's first natural breeding population of the species in 2025, raising 23 individuals and completing their rewilding training.

Thanks to joint efforts, China's Baer's pochard population has grown from about 1,000 in 2012 to 2,555 today, with Hengshui Lake becoming a world-class waterbird habitat and breeding ground for the species.

Hengshui Lake reserve, covering over 17,000 hectares and known as the "Blue Gem of East Asia," has recorded 337 bird species and hosts more than 100,000 wintering birds each year.

On the same day, a three-party agreement was signed to establish a demonstration base for natural breeding and rewilding of Baer's pochards.

Zhao Rixi contributed to this story.