NOBLE BIRD FLOURISHES

From myth to conservation: China's green peafowls make a comeback

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

Thanks to their dazzling tails, peafowls are often considered rare and auspicious in Chinese culture. Once with a dwindling population, the number of green peafowls in China has doubled over the past 10 years, and the population has grown to more than 820 this year, according to the latest statistics by the Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Administration.

In China, the birds exclusively inhabit Yunnan province. Shuangbai county in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture has the largest population of them.