Dr. Qing Zeng and her team conduct surveys at Longhu Mountain, one of the key wintering sites for the Chinese Merganser. The survey focuses on systematically recording the species’ numbers, sex ratios, behaviours, habitat conditions, as well as identifying threats such as infrastructure development, fishing, and tourism.
©RolexZhezhou Fu
Article by Rolex
Dr Qing Zeng and the Beijing Forestry University, with the support of Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, have made further progress in protecting the Chinese Merganser by leading a nationwide coordinated wintering survey.
Having existed on Earth for over 10 million years, the Chinese Merganser is often nicknamed a “living fossil with wings” due to its incredible resilience. However, due to its rarity and the deep affection people have for it, this remarkable species is also known as the “giant panda of the water”. Meanwhile, as one of the world’s rarest birds – listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List – it is also under first-class state protection in China.
Chinese Mergansers are extremely selective regarding their wintering habitats. Jiangxi’s Longhu Mountain provides an ideal habitat, with records confirming that the species has returned for 19 consecutive years.
©Rolex/Dongyang Xiao
Currently, Chinese Mergansers mainly breed in Russia and northeastern China, with approximately 95% of the global wintering population found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs of central and southern China. Given its extensive migratory routes and wide distribution, ecological research into the Chinese Merganser has long been hindered by critical data gaps, particularly in the wintering period. This makes nationwide coordinated wintering surveys vital for tracking population status, monitoring dynamic changes, and evaluating conservation outcomes.
POPULATION MONITORING
This nationwide standardized survey is the first major update on the status of this species since 2017. It covers more than 150 survey sites across 13 key provinces in central and southern China where the species is mainly distributed, involving over 100 conservationists, birdwatchers, volunteers, and researchers. Teams surveyed key wintering habitats following a scientific and standardized survey plan, systematically recording Chinese Merganser numbers, sex ratios, behaviours, habitat status, as well as identifying threats such as infrastructure development, fishing, and tourism. Trends in these threats are also analysed in combination with historical conditions.
“Thanks to the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this year we have been able to carry out a new nationwide wintering survey of the Chinese Merganser,” said Dr. Qing Zeng, an associate professor at Beijing Forestry University as well as Director of the Science Unit at the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), who is also the leader of the conservation project. “Data on population status and other findings obtained through the survey will directly contribute to the development of the upcoming Chinese Merganser Single Species Conservation Action Plan and guide the next decade of conservation investment and management globally.”
As this year begins, Dr. Zeng’s team selected Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi province as a key survey site. Chinese Mergansers are extremely selective regarding their wintering habitats. Longhu Mountain stands out due to its consistently high-quality water, a diverse array of shallow areas and deep pools, abundant food sources, strict fishing bans, and well-protected riparian vegetation – providing an ideal wintering environment. Chinese Mergansers have now been observed wintering there for 19 consecutive years, underlining the ecological quality of the area and its significance as an indicator of freshwater system health.
COLLABORATIVE PROTECTION
Critical to the Chinese Merganser’s survival is not only ongoing scientific surveys and monitoring, but also continuous habitat restoration and broad public participation. In September 2025, with support from the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, Dr. Zeng’s team have designed, constructed and erected fifty artificial nests in The Lesser Khingan Range in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province, to boost breeding success and safeguard population health.
Protected area staff from across the country, volunteers, and public participants joined the nationwide coordinated wintering survey, forming a collective force for species conservation. The project also welcomed the participation of an Honorary Observer and Rolex Testimonee Li Na, which brings new energy to the initiative, helping the public to see and understand the vital importance of wildlife and ecological conservation, and inspiring broader public attention to rare and endangered species.
“Protecting the Chinese Merganser is a long-term commitment. Combining habitat restoration, scientific data, and public participation is essential for continuous improvement of ecosystem management,” Dr. Zeng emphasized. “We are extremely grateful to everyone involved, including Honorary Observer Ms. Li Na, local ranger Mr. Xiao Dongyang, who has monitored the Longhu Mountain wintering site for 19 years, and the many dedicated volunteers and experts across China. Local guardianship and tireless individual contributions are indispensable for endangered species conservation.”
Rolex Testimonee and Honorary Observer Li Na participates in the nationwide coordinated wintering survey for the Chinese Merganser.
©Rolex/Zhezhou Fu
Protecting the Chinese Merganser means safeguarding not only a critically endangered species, but also a commitment to harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature. Every individual, every team, plays a valuable role in species survival.
“This project with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative has enabled us to gather previously scattered efforts from across the country into a concentrated force, like stars converging into a bright galaxy,” Dr. Zeng added. “Bird migration is, at its heart, a promise of return. We all look forward to the Chinese merganser’s return each year and have a shared commitment to upholding the beauty of life together.”
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.
Watch the video here.
CHINESE VERSION
曾晴博士带领团队在中华秋沙鸭越冬地之一江西龙虎山 进行实地巡查与数据收集，重点记录中华秋沙鸭的分布 数量、性别比例、行为和栖息地状况，同时直接识别 威胁因素，如工程建设、垂钓、旅游等，并结合历史 状况推断变化趋势。
©Rolex/Zhezhou Fu
劳力士支持中华秋沙鸭全国越冬同步调查保育行动
在劳力士“保护地球• 恒动不息”计划的支持下，曾晴博士和北京林业大学团队 带领的中华秋沙鸭保护项目取得全国越冬同步调查的新进展。
中华秋沙鸭在地球上生存逾千万年，因其顽强生命力被誉为“鸟中活化石”，同时也因其数量稀少、深受喜爱而被称为“水中大熊猫”，是世界珍稀鸟类之一。中华秋沙鸭已在国际自然保护联盟《受胁物种红色名录》中被列为濒危，也是 中国国家一级重点保护动物。
中华秋沙鸭对越冬地的选择极其挑剔。江西龙虎山为 中华秋沙鸭提供了理想越冬环境，已连续19 年记录到 中华秋沙鸭在此越冬。
©Rolex/Dongyang Xiao
当前，中华秋沙鸭主要繁殖地分布于俄罗斯和中国东北，而约95% 越冬栖息地 集中在中国中南部的河湖、水库。其距离较长、分布范围广阔的迁徙特性，导致 中华秋沙鸭的生态学研究，尤其是越冬期的数据存在长期空缺。因此，开展全国
越冬同步调查对于科学评估其种群现状、动态变化及保护成效至关重要。
种群动态监测
此次大规模系统性调查是自2017 年以来该物种状况的首次重大动态更新，覆盖 中国中部和南部13 个重点分布省份的150 余个调查点，超过100 名保护工作者、观鸟爱好者、志愿者与科研人员积极参与。团队成员分赴各地，依据科学、统一 的调查方案，对各主要越冬地进行实地巡查与数据收集，重点记录中华秋沙鸭的 分布数量、性别比例、行为和栖息地状况，同时直接识别威胁因素，如工程建设、垂钓、旅游等，并结合历史状况推断变化趋势。
“ 得益于劳力士‘保护地球•恒动不息’计划的支持，我们今年能够成功开展新一轮 中华秋沙鸭全国越冬同步调查。通过调查了解到的种群状况等数据，将直接贡献 于即将制定的《中华秋沙鸭单一物种保护行动计划》，指导未来10 年全球对于 中华秋沙鸭这个物种各阶段的保护投入和管理举措。”北京林业大学副教授，东亚 – 澳大利西亚迁飞区伙伴关系协定（EAAFP）科学部主任、保育项目负责人 曾晴博士表示。
今年伊始，曾晴博士团队选择江西龙虎山作为其中一个重点调查地。中华秋沙鸭 对越冬地的选择极其挑剔。龙虎山水质清澈，河道拥有丰富的浅滩与深潭，食物 充足，同时有严格的禁渔措施和优良的岸带植被，为中华秋沙鸭提供了理想越冬 环境。作为高质量淡水生态系统的指示物，中华秋沙鸭已连续19 年在龙虎山越冬，这有力证明了当地生态环境的适宜性。
合力保护
中华秋沙鸭的保护不仅依赖科学调查和监测，也需要繁殖栖息地的持续修复和 广泛的公众参与。2025 年9 月，在劳力士“保护地球• 恒动不息”计划的支持下，曾晴博士团队已在中国东北黑龙江小兴安岭设计、建造并安装了五十个人工巢箱，有助于提升中华秋沙鸭繁殖成功率，为种群健康提供生态保障。
各地的保护地工作者、志愿者与公众参与全国越冬同步调查，对物种保护形成了 社会合力。此次保育行动也迎来了劳力士代言人、荣誉观察员李娜的加入，为保护 项目注入新力量，让公众看见并理解野生动物与生态保护的重要意义，激发更广泛 公众对珍稀濒危物种的关注。
“ 中华秋沙鸭的保护是长期工作，栖息地修复、科学数据和公众参与相结合，才能 真正实现生态系统管理的持续改进”。曾晴博士表示，“ 非常感谢荣誉观察员李娜 女士、19 年如一日巡护中华秋沙鸭的龙虎山基层护林员肖冬样先生，以及全国 各地热心志愿者和专业团队的参与和支持。对濒危物种在地的保护，离不开每一份 力量的坚守和付出。”
Rolex Testimonee and Honorary Observer Li Na participates in the nationwide coordinated wintering survey for the Chinese Merganser.
©Rolex/Zhezhou Fu
保护中华秋沙鸭，守护的不仅是一个濒危物种，更是人类与大自然和谐共生的永恒 承诺。每一个人、每一支队伍的努力，都会为物种的保护贡献力量。
“ 这次劳力士‘保护地球•恒动不息’计划支持的中华秋沙鸭保护项目，让我们有 机会把全国各地零散的力量聚集起来，就如点点星光，最终汇成一个灿烂的星河。” 曾晴博士补充道，“鸟类迁徙是一个关于回归的承诺，我们也期待中华秋沙鸭
年复一年的归来，共同守护生命最美好的愿望。”
“ 保护地球 •恒动不息”计划简介
劳力士颂扬人类成就，重视路途上奠下的每个里程碑，以及重要时刻迸发的丰富 情感。
近一个世纪以来，劳力士不断支持探险先锋，襄助他们缔造无数历史壮举。在此 过程中，劳力士将探险从最初纯粹的探索发现，逐渐转变为保护地球，并通过 “ 保护地球•恒动不息”计划（Perpetual Planet Initiative），支持有志之士为地球 万物构建更美好的未来。
劳力士于2019 年推出“保护地球• 恒动不息”计划，该计划已拥有超过30 个 合作伙伴，涵盖三大主要领域：海洋保护、陆地环境，以及科学、医疗与技术。劳力士广泛支持一系列海洋保护项目，其中包括：“蓝色使命”（Mission Blue）计划与劳力士代言人席薇亚·厄尔（Sylvia Earle）；克里斯蒂娜·米特迈尔 （Cristina Mittermeier）与保罗·尼克伦（Paul Nicklen）；以及珊瑚园丁（Coral Gardeners）项目。
在陆地环境领域，劳力士亦开展多项合作，包括与国家地理学会（National Geographic Society） 加强合作； 支持汤普金斯自然保护组织（Tompkins Conservation）旗下的阿根廷复野基金会（Rewilding Argentina）与智利复野基 金会（Rewilding Chile）；以及支持史蒂夫·博伊斯（Steve Boyes）及非洲大 脊梁（Great Spine of Africa）的一系列考察活动。
劳力士亦支持科学、医疗与技术领域的合作伙伴，其中包括劳力士大奖（Rolex Awards）得主安德鲁·巴斯塔劳斯（Andrew Bastawrous）、费力克斯·布鲁 克斯丘奇（Felix Brooks-church）以及汪郁雯（Miranda Wang）。
此外，劳力士支持不同组织与倡议计划，培养新一代探险家、科学家及保 育者， 例如皇家地理学会（Royal Geographical Society）、探险家俱乐部 （The Explorers Club）、欧洲核子研究中心和社会基金会（CERN & Society Foundation），以及洛桑联邦理工学院（Swiss Federal Institute of Technology，EPFL）等。
