Dr Qing Zeng and the Beijing Forestry University, with the support of ROLEX and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, are protecting a species that has been in existence for over 10 million years.

Having existed on Earth for over 10 million years – and with an annual migration route of thousands of kilometres – the Chinese merganser (the Scaly-sided Merganser or Mergus squamatus) is often nicknamed a “living fossil with wings” due to its incredible resilience.

However, with fewer than 5,000 Chinese mergansers remaining, the bird species is also referred to as the ‘giant panda of the water’ reflecting its endangered status. Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex is supporting Beijing Forestry University in the conservation of the Chinese merganser, and through that, the ecosystems that people depend on.

The Chinese merganser got its name following its discovery in China in the 19th century. These rare and beautiful birds live exclusively in East Asia, in pristine waters with an abundance of fish. China is critical to its survival, as its breeding grounds, migration staging sites, and major wintering habitats. The Chinese merganser is named on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and it is also under first-class state protection in China.

“The Chinese merganser can indicate the overall environmental quality of rivers and lakes and is an indicator species of freshwater ecosystems. At the same time, as it is at a higher trophic level, conserving the Chinese merganser will help to protect the entire freshwater ecosystem from the top down. The Chinese merganser is also a key species in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, so its significance is not only national but also regional,” said Dr Qing Zeng, an associated professor at Beijing Forestry University as well as Director of Science Unit at the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), who is also the leader of the conservation project.

Dr Zeng has been researching and conserving the Chinese merganser for over a decade. “The birds are closely connected to three critical ecosystems of the Earth. Specifically, they rely on the forest during breeding; they indicate the conditions of the wetland during the winter, and they may utilise the oceans during plumage.”

Faced with habitat losses, human disturbance and climate change, the Chinese merganser is also experiencing the same gap in research that often faces other rare species. With the support of Rolex, Dr Zeng and her team, alongside a network of fellow conservationists, are working together to actively address the gap.

RESTORING HOMES FOR THE CHINESE MERGANSERS

The first step is to restore their homes. “Chinese mergansers do not build nests themselves but rely on hollows in strong trees typically located over 10 metres above the ground,” said Dr Zeng. “While we are working tirelessly to replenish the primeval forests we once cut down, the more recently planted trees are not strong or tall enough.”

The Beijing Forestry University, along with local rangers, have designed, constructed and erected dozens of artificial nests in The Lesser Khingan Range in Northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province. Sizes and materials are specifically designed to blend in with the environment and accommodate the Chinese mergansers.

Located individually onsite leveraging existing studies and previous experiences, the nests are also equipped with cameras to capture the birds’ behaviour as well anti-interference nests, a structure that prevents predators from approaching.

“These nests test the local applicability of existing literature and experiences elsewhere, enabling us to continuously improve,” said Dr Zeng. “It also allows us to capture key moments of the Chinese merganser’s life, all the way from hatching.”

The nests will start welcoming the Chinese mergansers in spring 2026.

UPCOMING NATIONAL WINTER SURVEY

Apart from building homes, in January 2026, the Beijing Forestry University team will also launch a nationwide winter survey, covering around a dozen provinces in central and southern China, focusing on the Chinese merganser.

The survey will help scientists and conservationists better understand where the Chinese merganser resides, what threats it faces, and how the birds are coping. Similar to a census in human policy-making, the survey will provide essential data for future scientific research and conservation efforts. The survey will be the first major update on the species since 2017.

Around 100 conservationists, bird watchers, and enthusiasts have already completed their training and are recruiting their own teams before being dispatched nationwide in January 2026.

“A species in danger threatens a chain of other species, our landscapes, and our livelihoods,” said Dr Zeng. “We greatly appreciate Rolex’s support and the platform they will provide to amplify our messages. Seeing so many fellow explorers, scientists, and conservationists worldwide sharing the same goal, I believe a Perpetual Planet will eventually be achieved, despite all the challenges.”

ABOUT THE PERPETUAL PLANET INITIATIVE

Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing journeys marked by milestones and emotions that culminate in defining moments.

For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers to help them achieve countless historic feats. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside those building a better future for all life on earth.

The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative was launched in 2019 and now has a portfolio of more than 30 partners, active in three main focus areas: Oceans; Landscapes; and Science, Health, and Technology.

For the Oceans, Rolex supports a wide range of projects such as: Mission Blue and Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle; Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen; and Coral Gardeners.

The Landscapes roster includes: a strengthened partnership with the National Geographic Society; Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, offspring organisations of Tompkins Conservation; and Steve Boyes and the Great Spine of Africa series of expeditions.

Rolex also supports partners in Science, Health, and Technology, such as:

Rolex Awards Laureates Andrew Bastawrous; Felix Brooks-church; and Miranda Wang.

Rolex also supports organizations and initiatives fostering the next generation of explorers, scientists and conservationists, such as the Royal Geographical Society, The Explorers Club, the CERN & Society Foundation and the EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Lausanne.

Article in Chinese: 【新闻稿】劳力士支持北京林业大学保护“水中大熊猫”——中华秋沙鸭