Wildlife protection

Since the media exposure of Oriental white storks being poisoned at Tianjin's Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve two weeks ago, more and more volunteers, the media and the government are working together in a campaign to protect these endangered birds.

It is estimated that there are less than 3,000 of these beautiful birds worldwide and they are listed under China's first-grade State protection.

Yet investigative media reports have disclosed the existence of a treacherous profit-making chain that sells the birds to restaurants. Informants revealed that a large wild bird like the oriental white stork can be traded for 200 yuan ($32) on the black market.