A black stork, a bird that is under first class protection in China, was recently spotted at a wetland park, in Shuozhou, Shanxi province, www.cnr.cn reported on Wednesday.

An ornithologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences'research institute confirmed that the bird the person had seen was a black stork, whose scientific name is Ciconia nigra, a large wading member of the stork family. This bird is occasionally seen in the warmer parts of Europe, and across similar parts of Asia and southern Africa. The stork avoids contact with people and is found in pairs or small flocks in marshy areas or inland waters. Because of its value, it was put under first class protection in China.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw