BirdGuides 174bbd50-bb52-466d-8b94-41c8738e7c0c The Chinese government has published a fully updated list of protected species for the first time in more than 30 years, with Jankowski's Bunting, Baer's Pochard and Spoon-billed Sandpiper among the birds afforded the highest level of security. Originally published in 1988, China's Wildlife Protection Law was grossly outdated, containing a number visually 'obvious' species yet lacking many passerines and shorebirds – many of which are endangered or have declined significantly over the past three decades. Jankowski's Bunting has been afforded the highest level of protection in China (Josh Jones). This year's update was long overdue and has been warmly welcomed by conservationists, for it means that some of China's most-threatened wildlife will now be better protected by law. The changes mean that local governments will have greater responsibility to protect species and their habitats, including from hunting, as well as severely crack down on any illegal activities through strict law enforcement.