China's Wildlife Roars Back: Species Thrive Under New Conservation

China is undertaking a significant shift in its approach to biodiversity conservation, moving from reactive damage control to proactive, systematic restoration efforts. This strategic change has resulted in the downgrading of threat levels for nearly 500 species of wild flora and fauna across the nation.

Significant population increases have been observed for over 300 rare and endangered species. Among these successes, the Hainan gibbon, the world's rarest primate, has seen its wild population grow to 44 individuals, representing the only gibbon population worldwide with continuous growth. This achievement underscores China's dedication.

Conservation initiatives like a 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River basin, initiated in 2021, are yielding notable results. As of the end of 2025, 351 fish species endemic to the basin were recorded, an increase of 43 species compared to pre-ban figures. This demonstrates the effectiveness of such protective measures.

China has also established a comprehensive ecological quality monitoring network, comprising 214 stations and over 16,400 plots, ensuring extensive coverage of its natural landscapes. The nation has placed 94.5 percent of bird species under protection, identifying and safeguarding numerous key habitats along migratory flyways.