The current status of the East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) along the East Asian-Australasian flyway

The East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is the least studied and most endangered of the species’ three biogeographic populations. We conducted the first synchronised wintering count of the population and satellite-tracked three immature individuals. Based on the wintering count, we estimated the size of the East Asian population at around 170–180 individuals, exceeding previous estimates. We discovered two migratory routes of the immature Dalmatian Pelicans, including a conventional route connecting China-Mongolia and an alternative route connecting China-Kazakhstan. These findings provide the first documented evidence of interactions linking the East Asian population with the South-west Asia & South Asia population. We discovered 55 sites important to the East Asian population; 78.2 % had not been previously identified, and 83.6 % are outside the current protected area network. We present the most detailed description of the migration of the East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican to date and call for immediate conservation of the Ruian Coastal Wetland, the Oujiang River Mouth, the Jiaolai River, and Baole Haote Haizi and its surrounding areas.