Three baby-crested ibises hatch on April 10. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

A crested ibis couple hatched their fourth baby in Yangxian county, Hanzhong, Shaanxi province on April 13, according to the Hanzhong Crested Ibis National Nature Reserve Administration.

Since Rugao in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province established a friendly pairing-assistance relationship with Yangxian county, the birth of the rare animal has attracted the attention of Rugao residents.

To make it easier for Rugao residents to see the images, the Rugao Media Center, together with the Shaanxi Yangxian Media Center and China Central Television, started a live broadcast on April 11.

The crested ibis is classified as a national first-class protected animal in China. Due to environmental degradation, its numbers have dropped sharply. In the 1970s, it became one of the most endangered birds in the world.

Two crested ibises fly in the field. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

In 1981, researchers discovered the only seven crested ibises in the wild at that time in Yangxian county, Hanzhong, which ultimately led to the repopulation of the species.

At present, a total of 33 crested ibis couples are active at the Hanzhong crested ibis artificial breeding center.