Some rare animal species have recently been spotted for first time in Jiangsu amid the province’s progress in improving ecological environment.

A background investigation into biodiversity showed Jiangsu has recorded 6,903 animal and plant species.

The Chinese merganser ducks (Mergus squamatus) was recorded in the province’s Changzhou City for first time. This beautiful and rare waterfowl has been living on the planet for over 10 million years, hence its nickname "a living fossil with wings" or  "giant panda among birds." At present, it is estimated that there are about 3,000 wild specimens of this bird in the world. The endemic species to China is quite picky about its living environment, especially about water quality. It’s an endangered species on the IUCN Red List and under first-level state protection in China.

In Chongchuan District of Nantong City, a team from Nanjing University's Academy of Environmental Planning and Design Co Ltd has for the first time discovered the leopard cat and Chinese water deer, two species under second-level state protection and also indicator species, used to evaluate Jiangsu’s environmental condition. Researchers used infrared cameras to capture footage of the two species in the suburban farmland area.

In the plains, the leopard cat is the top predator of the food chain, but the number of the species has dropped rapidly due to hunting and habitat destruction. Chinese water deer prefers mudflats and mountainous areas with abundant plants. 

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