HOHHOT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- An endangered and rare duck species has been spotted in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, local authorities said Tuesday.

Animal experts found six of the Baer's pochard, four males and two females, at a reservoir in Alxa League during recent field research, according to the region's forestry and grassland bureau.

The bureau said it was the first time the species has been spotted in Alxa League in 22 years.

The Baer's pochard, a type of diving duck, mainly inhabits China, Mongolia and Bangladesh. It is listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with a current population below 1,000 worldwide.

Authorities in Inner Mongolia have ramped up animal protection and intensified the crackdown on poaching in recent years, which has led to more sightings of rare animals in the region.