Zhalong Nature Reserve

Zhalong Nature Preserve (simplified Chinese: 扎龙国家级自然保护区; traditional Chinese: 扎龍國家級自然保護區; pinyin: zhālóng guójiā jízìránbǎohùqū) is a wetland reserve in Heilongjiang province, China.^[4]

Zhalong Nature Reserve entrance

Zhalong Nature Preserve
扎龙国家级自然保护区 扎龍國家級自然保護區 zhālóng guójiā jízìránbǎohùqū
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Red-crowned cranes at the Zhalong Wetland
Location within Heilongjiang
Location	Heilongjiang, China
Nearest city	Qiqihar
Coordinates	47.088°N 124.32°E / 47.088; 124.32[1]
Area	2,100 km2 (810 sq mi)
Established	1979
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Zhalong
Designated	31 March 1992
Reference no.	549[3]

History

Established in 1979, the 2,100 km² (810 sq mi) marshland is a major migratory route for birds from the Arctic migrating to South East Asia and is one of the few breeding grounds in the far east for the marsh grassbird (Megalurus pryeri). The area is one of freshwater marshes, streams and ponds. Its ponds and reeds make it an ideal home for over 300 different species of birds. It is protected by the Chinese government. Within the park, a large flock of red-crowned cranes is held in captivity for conservation purposes. The reserve is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance (no. 549).^[3]

Migratory birds

This marsh reserve serves as a stopover and nesting area for a large number of storks, swans, herons, grebes and other species.^[4] Lying on a migration path stretching from the Russian Arctic around the Gobi Desert to Southeast Asia, the land under this preserve is used by migrating birds between April and October.^[4]