The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is one of the world’s most endangered bird species and a first-class nationally protected wildlife species in China. Since the rediscovery of its wild population in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province in 1981, significant achievements have been made in the conservation of this species in China. The conservation efforts have evolved alongside the growth of its population. This paper reviews the current status of in situ conservation of the Crested Ibis and research advances in recent decades, encompassing the expansion of the wild population, key conservation measures, critical habitat restoration projects, population dynamics monitoring, and related research progress. By the end of 2023, the wild population of Crested Ibises had increased from the initial 7 individuals in 1981 to approximately 6 600 individuals. Their distribution now fully covers the entire Hanzhong City, with recent sightings reported from Gansu Province and Sichuan Province. Significant progress has been achieved in research areas such as behavioral ecology, environmental adaptation and habitat utilization, molecular ecology and genetic diversity, as well as disease diagnosis and treatment. This work aims to explore future directions for the conservation of Crested Ibis populations and their habitats, and to provide a reference for advancing conservation strategies. The efforts and research on the Crested Ibis have been proven effective and remarkable. The conservation system has matured gradually, demonstrating a well-established framework. These findings will provide valuable insights for optimizing future conservation strategies.