(CFP file photo)

Bird enthusiasts have recently captured photos of seven Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) in Tiaozini, part of the Yancheng wetlands that UNESCO granted world heritage status.

This marks the first time that the large freshwater bird was found to spend the winter in the area, which saw the arrival of 73 Dalmatian pelicans last year.

The endangered species is under first-class animal protection in China, and its population is estimated to be less than 150 in East Asia. Since migrating to Tiaozini late October of last year, some have chosen to stay here rather than fly to the southeast coast of China for the winter