(CN) Captive wild birds freed

[Guest guest]

China Daily

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2002-03-23/62280.html

(LIANG CHAO)

03/23/2002

 

Thirsty-five rescued wild birds, mostly endangered species under State

protection, were set free yesterday in Qinhuangdao, an air corridor for

bird's seasonal migration along the eastern coastal area.

Sponsored by China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) --- a

non-government organization --- as part of Love Birds Week, the action was

the largest freeing of captive wild birds or animals in China in 20 years.

 

Of the freed birds, the red-crowned crane, golden eagle and black stork are

under the State's top protection.

 

And 32 others belonging to seven species are under the State's Grade II

protection. They include the common cranes, whooper swan, rough-legged

buzzard, cinerous vulture, merlin, and northern eagle owl.

 

Most of the wild birds were discovered by locals who rescued them and

treated their wounds before sending them to the Qinhuangdao Rescue Centre

for Wildlife.

 

Since last April, the centre has rescued 62 wild birds under State Grade I

and II protection in Qinhuangdao's Qilihai Wetland, a resort for

bird-watching.

 

One staff member at the centre said the freed wild birds will likely adjust

to their natural habitat again fairly quickly.

 

CWCA officials said freeing the birds was a good way to raise public

awareness about protecting endangered birds

 

China has relatively rich resources of birds said Ying Feng, a CWCA expert.

 

To date, 1,256 species of birds, or 10 per cent of the world's total, have

been discovered in China.

 

To protect China's bird resources, the government has enforced special laws

on the protection of wildlife, set up many natural reserves for them and

launched rescue operations to help the wounded.

 

The number of wounded, crippled, poisoned and ill wild animals has risen in

recent years because of poaching, illegal selling and smuggling.