Shenzhen releases wildlife protection plan

Shenzhen has officially launched the groundbreaking Shenzhen Wildlife Protection Plan (2025–2035), marking the first city-level dedicated wildlife protection initiative in the country. This plan aims to transform Shenzhen into a global model for biodiversity preservation and sustainable urban development.

Central to the effort is a precision-driven approach to create detailed spatial habitat maps for protected species.

Key animal habitats will cover no less than 600 square kilometers, while critical natural habitats for wild plants will encompass at least 130 square kilometers. These efforts target the protection of 319 species of key wildlife and 193 species of important wild plants.

Foraging black-faced spoonbills spotted in Shenzhen. Photo from WeChat official acccount "深圳规划资源海洋"

To optimize ecological protection, the plan establishes an integrated spatial framework spanning terrestrial and marine environments. This includes ecological conservation belts such as Luotian-Dapeng Peninsula and Qinglinjing-Wutong Mountain on land, as well as coordinated land-sea belts across the Pearl River Estuary-Shenzhen Bay and Dapeng Bay-Daya Bay areas. Additionally, five core protection zones have been designated: Shenzhen Bay; Wutong Mountain-Sanzhoutian; Dapeng Peninsula-Tiantou Mountain; Pearl River Estuary; and Daya Bay.

The plan prioritizes flagship “umbrella” species, including pangolins, black-faced spoonbills, and Chinese white dolphins, emphasizing holistic habitat protection. Alongside these icons, it ensures systematic conservation of habitats for other key species, fostering the development of an interconnected ecological network that seamlessly links mountain, sea, and urban habitats.

The city also aimed to enhance its wildlife management level by international scientific collaborations, initiating global migratory bird protection partnerships, and establishing exemplary biological corridors.