Black-necked Cranes Seek New Homes in Weize
As the ecological environment of Weize County gets better, more and more migratory birds are nesting in Weize. In Mengshan Town, the 'Highland God Bird' Black-necked Crane, the most eye-catching and precious, has also arrived. This is the largest number of Black-necked Cranes seen in Mengshan Town since two years ago, outside of Nanhua Lake and Changzizi.
We saw about 200 Black-necked Cranes on the ridge of Bukabu Village in Mengshan Town, at 2600 meters above sea level. Some were leisurely walking, some were foraging in the fields, some were chatting, and some were dancing… Suddenly, the Black-necked Cranes took flight, they formed a line, flying under the azure sky, occasionally emitting 'Goo——Goo——' calls, as if singing joyfully.
'Go back and tell your classmates, publicize, Black-necked Cranes are Grade I protected animals, they cannot be hunted or killed. You go back and publicize, let the children at home see it, publicize, publicize.' The officers of Weize County Forest Police Station publicized the protection of wild animals to local residents.
In recent years, the Weize County Forest Police Station has frequently carried out special action to protect migratory birds, and has publicized wildlife protection laws and cases to residents around Black-necked Crane habitats. The public's awareness of protecting Black-necked Cranes is constantly improving, and they no longer kill or disturb these 'Highland God Birds'.
'This place has many Black-necked Cranes, and they often come down here. To protect her, when people pass by here, as a forest ranger, I tell them not to move her. And the forest police also often come to do publicity for us.' Said Cheng Jinhui, a forest ranger.
Due to the suitable environment and sufficient food in Bukabu Village, Mengshan Town, Black-necked Cranes nest every autumn and winter. Villagers plant oats, and residents leave some small potatoes for the Black-necked Cranes to eat. A Black-necked Crane discovered something to eat in the field, it would call out, and soon, its companions gathered. Oats or potatoes are delicacies for Black-necked Cranes. Bukabu Village, Mengshan Town, has become a new home for more and more Black-necked Cranes.
Station Manager Zhao Wei of Mengshan Town Forest Station said: 'I observe gradually, the number of Black-necked Cranes is increasing. We analyzed that the natural survival conditions in this area are relatively suitable for her, so they are increasing year by year. As for food, it should be very sufficient. The area where they frequently come is where residents plant corn and potatoes every year. Through the publicity of the forestry and grassland departments over the years, protecting wild animals, the public's awareness is gradually improving. Some residents instinctively leave a little smaller potato, the purpose is to feed the Black-necked Cranes.'
It is reported that Black-necked Cranes in Yunnan, Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, China, have established protected areas and wetlands to protect Black-necked Cranes. Currently, the global population of Black-necked Cranes exceeds 10,000, and nearly 1,000 are in Weize.
Reporter: Chen Qi Hai Xu Yu Xiong Gao Zhi Ping
Correspondent: Yang Tai Hua Jiang Tao
Editor: Duan Gu Qiang
