The Chinese Crested Tern, Sterna bernsteini, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This seabird was previously thought to be extinct but was re-discovered in 2000. Exclusively coastal, the Chinese Crested Tern only breeds in China and Taiwan on offshore islets and tidal mudflats.
Tragically, the total population is estimated to be at less than 50 individuals. The future of this species is threatened by egg-collection, human disturbance and the loss of coastal wetland habitats. Other threats include the introduction of predatory species such as rats and water pollution that affect the terns’ food sources.
This Chinese Crested Tern is nationally protected in China and Thailand and nesting habitat is patrolled in the breeding season. This has served as an effective deterrent to egg collectors. Programmes to raise local awareness of this bird and address socio economic factors relating to its conservation are being developed.
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