Dachang Village in Gaoyou City, Jiangsu Province opened China’s second reserve dedicated to the protection of Oriental stork, an endangered species, on December 8 after the first one established in Dalian City of Northeast China’s Liaoning Province.

The population of the large, white bird is less than 3,000 in the world. Amid progress in ecological environment in Gaoyou, the city has reported more activities of Oriental stork, and its number rose from several in 2007 to over 200 this year.

Local branch of the State Grid has made efforts to protect the birds, such as building artificial nests, setting up barriers, and organizing volunteers. The species inhabit electricity towers, but its droppings and fragments of the nests become a safety threat to power lines.

Long Zaixiang, head of the city’s Jieshou Town, the new reserve also promotes science and offers rescue service to the birds, combining bird watching with protection measures. Meanwhile, a charity foundation has been established to better protect the rare birds.

Contact us at english@jschina.com.cn