Rarest sight: Hong Kong conservationists spot endangered Chinese crested tern in Indonesian waters
Excitement on expedition as world’s rarest bird, thought to number only 50, discovered and photographed at wintering site
The world’s rarest bird was discovered by a fleet of conservationists – including three Hong Kong students – off the coast of Indonesia this month, renewing efforts to preserve the area now confirmed as their wintering site.
The critically endangered Chinese crested tern, of which only 50 are believed to remain, was spotted near Seram island in eastern Indonesia by a survey team of 10 led by groups Burung Indonesia and BirdLife International Asia Division.
“It was really hard to see the bird and we had to really pay attention to spot its distinctive features - it’s white body and orange beak – but I was really excited to see it,” said 21-year-old biology student Ken Fung Hon-Sheng who took part in the four-day boat expedition through Indonesian waters.
Feared to be extinct, the seabird had been seen sporadically over the last two centuries and was rediscovered in 2000 off the coast of China’s Fujian province, resulting in a push for more breeding programmes to help boost numbers back from the brink.
Chinese University student and wildlife photographer Fung was selected to take part in the trip as part of a scholarship programme funded by Ocean Park Conservation Foundation.