Five Japanese Crested Ibis chicks were born following natural incubation at a research center in the northwestern Shaanxi Province.

Two ibis pairs, selected from a colony of 60 ibises raised in the provincial research center for wild animal breeding and rescue, hatched five of seven eggs laid, setting a new record for natural incubation of the ibis in captivity.

Experts at the center also created another record by allowing several pairs of ibises to hatch fledglings in one bird cage, which was considered impossible in the past.

So far, 26 ibis fledglings have been hatched in the research center following either artificial or natural incubation of the eggs.

The Japanese Crested Ibis which tops the state protection list, used to inhabit eastern Asia.

Seven ibises were discovered in Shaanxi in 1981 following the disappearance of the endangered birds from China during the 1960s and 70s.

China has been making efforts to protect and breed the ibis for over 18 years. There are now over 130 living in colonies in China, the only habitat in the world for colonies of the rare bird.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2002)