KUNMING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Researchers launched a survey on the population and habitats of green peafowls in southwest China's Yunnan Province this week, local authorities said Wednesday.

Researchers will visit 53 counties in Yunnan, where they will collect information on the distribution areas, population, and habitats of green peafowls, according to the local forestry department who launched the survey.

"The survey aims to provide scientific and complete data support for green peafowl protection," said Yang Xiaojun, researcher with Kunming Institute of Zoology.

Green peafowl are under top national-level protection in China and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Found in the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia, the species has an estimated total population of between 20,000 and 30,000.

Based on a survey conducted by the institute in 2016, in China, the green peafowl is only found Yunnan Province, with a wild population of less than 500.

A total of 122 researchers are participating in this year's survey, which will run until May.