Driven by viral videos from influencers showcasing the perilous and rare beauty of the Ailao Mountains, the once-hidden range in Yunnan province has piqued a wave of curiosity in recent months.

The topic "A bird numbering only 1,000 worldwide observed in the Ailao Mountains" was a hit on social media platform Sina Weibo.

"The white-eared night heron is hard to spot due to its small population and secretive habits," said Zhao Xuebing, a lecturer at Yunnan University's School of Ecology and Environmental Science.

Classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, the bird has been given top-level protection by the Chinese government.

Located in the central part of Yunnan, the Ailao Mountains extend approximately 500 kilometers from northwest to southeast. The range is home to China's largest, least disturbed, and most intact subtropical montane wet evergreen broadleaved forest ecosystem.

This pristine environment is a home for many lesser-known creatures. A large number of them are rare and endangered animals, including the western black-crested gibbon, clouded leopard and green peafowl.