“世界上最神秘的鸟”惊现湖北竹山
“World’s Most Mystical Bird” Spotted in Zhushan, Hubei
楚天都市报极目新闻记者 关前裕 通讯员 程平 杜登艳 杜翔JIMU News Journalist: Guan Qianyu Correspondents: Cheng Ping, Du Dengyan, Du Xiang
翻译：郭越、罗金、Lisa M.K（湖北大学）
Translators: Guo Yue, Luo Jin, Lisa M.K (Hubei University)
海南鳽作为中国特有的鸟类，被列为一级保护野生动物，属濒危物种。极目新闻记者6月5日获悉，这只“神秘国宝”在湖北竹山县被发现。
White-eared Night-heron, an endangered bird species endemic to China, is enlisted under the first-class state protection. This “mysterious national treasure” was recently sighted in Zhushan County, Hubei Province, reported by Jimu News on June 5.
它被誉为“世界上最神秘的鸟”（通讯员供图） White-eared Night-herons are crowned “the most mysterious bird in the world”（Photo courtesy of correspondents）
6月3日，湖北竹山县溢水镇20岁小伙陈明清在途经船舱山林时，意外听到一阵急促的扑腾声。循声望去，一只体型硕大的鸟儿被荆棘藤蔓死死缠住，羽毛凌乱不堪，翅膀在挣扎中刮蹭着刺藤，眼神中满是惊恐。
On June 3, Chen Mingqing, a 20-year-old young man from Yishui Town, Zhushan County, heard urgent fluttering sounds while passing through nearby woods in Chuancang village. Tracing the noise, he discovered a large bird entangled in thorny vines. It appeared frightened, with its feathers disheveled and its wings scraped against the thorns during the struggle.
“当时它一直在扑棱，我看着心里特别急。”陈明清立即停下脚步，小心翼翼地靠近这只“不速之客”。为避免鸟儿受惊加重伤势，他一边用树枝轻轻拨开藤蔓，一边迅速拨通了竹山县林业局的求助电话。“我想着先稳住它，等专业人员处理，不能让这么珍贵的鸟儿出事。”年轻小伙的举动，悄然拉开了一场生命救援的序幕。
“Its desperate fluttering concerned me a lot,” said Chen. He immediately stopped in his tracks and cautiously approached “the unexpected feathered friend”. To prevent exacerbating the bird’s injuries, he gently parted the vines with a branch while simultaneously calling the Zhushan Forestry Bureau for assistance. “I tried to calm the bird as I waited for relevant personnel. We couldn’t let such a precious bird get hurt,” explained the young man. His prompt actions paved the way for the life-saving mission that later ensued.
竹山县林业局野生动物保护站工作人员携带专业工具迅速赶到现场。当最后一根藤蔓被拨开，在场人员心头一震：被困鸟儿竟是国家一级保护动物——海南鳽（jiān）。因习性极为隐秘且数量稀少，它被誉为“世界上最神秘的鸟”。经检查，这只海南鳽右侧翅膀有明显划伤，身体虚弱无法飞行。工作人员立即将其小心放入专用救助箱，紧急送往野生动植物保护站。
Staff from the Wildlife Conservation Station of the Zhushan Forestry Bureau quickly arrived with professional gear. As the last vine was cleared away, everyone on site was stunned: the trapped bird turned out to be a first-class state protected species— White-eared Night-heron. Being elusive and scarce, it is hailed as “the most mysterious bird in the world.” Upon examination, the bird was found to have a visible wound on its right wing and deemed too frail to fly. The staff carefully placed it into a specialized rescue box and rushed to the Wildlife Conservation Station for immediate medical care.
“海南鳽对栖息环境要求极高，近年来在竹山偶有记录，此次救助对研究其种群分布意义重大。”保护站负责人杜翔表示。在保护站，工作人员第一时间为它清洁消毒伤口，涂抹消炎药物，并精心准备了新鲜小泥鳅补充体力。待其恢复野外生存能力后，这只珍贵的海南鳽将重返自然怀抱。
“White-eared Night-heron is quite particular when it comes to its habitat. In recent years, it has been sporadically spotted in Zhushan. This rescue greatly contributes to our understanding of the species’ distribution,” said Du Xiang, head of the Station. At the Station, staff immediately cleaned and disinfected the wound, applied anti-inflammatory medication, before feeding the bird fresh loaches to help it refuel. Once the bird fully recovers its ability to survive in the wild, this precious White-eared Night-heron will be released back into its natural habitat.