China's nature reserves flourishing

The ecological systems in China's natural reserves are flourishing, with some endangered animals and plant species growing, authorities said on Tuesday.

A ministry of environmental protection statement said that nature reserves at various levels are providing protection to more than 85 percent of rare species, Xinhua news agency reported.

China has 428 natural reserves, covering over 96 million hectares. The population of endangered and rare species, such as golden monkeys, Asian elephants and dawn redwood trees, have been growing in these areas.

China has over 60 natural reserves for giant pandas and the number of wild giant pandas has increased from about 1,100 in 2000 to around 1,600 currently.

Efforts to protect the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) and its habitat have helped the population grow from only seven in 1981 to about 1,000 now.