In 1991, more than 6,000 swans came to Rongcheng Lake in east
China's Shandong Province to spend the winter, but this year the
number has dropped to just 1,200.
Yuan Xueshun, head of Rongcheng Whooper Swan Protection
Association, has engaged in the protection of swans for nearly 30
years.
"It is not an issue of swan protection, but of swan survival,"
said Yuan.
Deng Jia, a press photographer agrees.
"I first came to Rongcheng in 2001 to take pictures of the
swans," he said.
"Swans used to fly over my head on the street. But now it is
hard to see any of them."
This winter has been especially tough for the swans, not only
because of record snowfalls, but also bird flu.
Fears over a possible outbreak have made local residents drive
away the swans, disrupting the bird's normal life, Yuan said.
In good weather, Yuan goes on his food distribution mission
every two days. In snowy days, he does it every day.
He spreads corn grains and Chinese cabbages. "Swans like sweet,
crisp and fresh food," said Yuan. "I want to feed them apples and
small fish or shrimp, but I don't have enough money."
Yuan has already been lucky enough to get help from local
people, who donated more than 3,000 yuan (US$370) and 7 tons of
corn to him.
Last year, International Foundation for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
helped him with 10,000 yuan (US$1,233) to buy foodstuffs, and this
year they plan to give even more.
"The food I provide can only serve as a supplement for the
swans' daily menu," Yuan said. "Their major sources of food still
come from nature."
However, the natural environment in Rongcheng is
deteriorating.
In the harbour of Mashanwan, about 70-odd swans were playing on
the frozen lake, while the rest nibbled on small pieces of wheat
seedling from under the thick snow.
One swan, left behind by the others, was limping painfully, with
one of its legs obviously hurt.
"I have watched this injured swan for a month," Yuan said. "Its
partner might have already died. But with enough food, it is likely
to recover."
"Among those swans, nearly half are under aged," said Sun
Quanhui, an expert with the IFAW.
These swans are 1 or 2 years old. "It is hard for them to find
proper dwelling places and enough food," Sun said. "It is also hard
to tell whether or not they can pass through the harsh winter."
The port of Yandunjiao, one of Yuan's places for leaving corn
grains, is full of garbage left by local people, such as plastic
bags, abandoned shoes, rotten vegetables and even a dead cat.
"The most harmful things are outdated medicines, pesticide and
rat poison," said Yuan. "They can kill swans."
Yuan has tried to persuade local villagers not to throw the
waste into the sea.
"But it is a habit of the villagers for years," said an official
of the villagers' committee.
"We set the dustbins on one side of the village, but people do
not take the trouble to go there."
Near the waterside, a resort has been built for attracting
tourists to come to watch swans.
"The buildings and human activities might scare the swans, if
the distance between them is too short," Sun said. "And the waste
from the resort will pollute the swans' drinking water source."
Also in the area there is a power grid. "The height of cables is
similar to the swan's flying height. It is easy for swans to fly
into cables."
What is more, shrimp and sea cucumbers are grown in the reserve.
"At night, the fishermen use searchlights to stop thieves and
swans. This strong light influences their sleep patterns," Yuan
said.
"I am afraid that at the current speed of reduction, no swans
will come to Rongcheng for winter in the near future."
(China Daily January 3, 2006)
