“I can’t say anything about it, but the extinction of every species will definitely have a big impact on the natural world. I will continue to do this until I can’t do it. I am a normal person, a farmer, but I want to give great bustards a warm home.”

—— Song Keming

Recently, Mr. Song Keming, the director of China Conversation Area for Great Bustard at Changyuan (CCAfa) visited CBCGDF again to report on the recent protection work on this CCAfa site.

Director Song first introduced on the long-term concern of CBCGDF for the protection of birds such as the great bustards in the Yellow River wetland habitat. At present, the migratory birds are on the wintering season, and the volunteers of the CCAfa site actively cooperate with the forest police to carry out their work and insist on patrolling the Yellow River Beach. They also increased the intensity of patrols at night to prevent poachers from being close to the habitat where migratory birds are concentrated. At the same time, they promote the knowledge and laws and regulations to protect birds on the site and in the vicinity; timely clean up the poisonous baits put in the fields by the saboteurs, and rescue the wounded birds. These protection work will continue until March next year.

According to director Song and volunteers observations, there were about 200 great bustards that wintered in Changyuan County and surrounding areas in Henan Province in 2018, the number of which decreased compared with previous years; however, the number of gray cranes, bean geese and geese was increased. Combined with observations from other conservation areas, the number of great bustards in China will be reduced in the winter of 2018.

Previously, CBCGDF sent a letter to the relevant departments to reflect the “Yellow River Water Conservancy Scenic Spot” project in Changchun County, Henan Province. The road was built to penetrate the main wintering habitat of wild birds such as the national first-class protected animal, great bustard. It has already attracted the attention of the local government and relevant departments.

Director Song detailed: The current “Yellow River Water Conservancy Scenic Spot” project has taken certain protective measures. In addition to the road already under construction, other constructions were suspended. While preserving the habitat of birds, the original plan is changed. Instead of planting trees and rapeseed on both sides of the road, it is changed into planting crops that great bustards like to eat, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes. At present, the impact of this project on the wintering habitat of birds such as great bustard is already within the controllable range. Through the joint efforts of CBCGDF and the public welfare partners, the local government has gradually realized the importance of protecting the great bustard and protecting the integrity of the Yellow River wetland. Work together to create an ecological business card and build a beautiful Changyuan County.

Director Song and volunteers plan to set up ten warning signs in the Yellow River Wetland protected area from Changyuan County to Fengqiu County to promote the protection of birds such as great bustards and combat illegal poaching. Nowadays, more and more people of insight have been inspired and influenced by the wildlife protection volunteers such as Director Song and have joined the ranks of protecting birds. At present, the volunteers’ team of the China Conservation Area for Great Bustard at Changyuan, and the surrounding China Conservation Area for Great Bustard at Fengqiu, China Conservation Area for Aurora Sparrow at Chenqiao have grown to more than 300 people.

On November 17, Director Song was invited to the "Beautiful China" TV program of Shandong Satellite TV, as a voice for the ecological protection, for the great bustards: "No sales, no kill"; "Damage to great bustards will never be easily forgiven" and shared his personal "Great Bustards Guardian" story and his views on ecological environmental protection. On December 7, CCTV13 news broadcasted the deeds of Changyuan County volunteers to protect migratory birds. In an interview, Director Song talked about the threat of poaching that great bustards are suffering.

In 2018, there were as many as 200,000 wild birds inhabiting the Yellow River wetland in Changyuan County, including about 60,000 wild geese, the highest number observed in recent years. CBCGDF believes that with the efforts of the government, volunteers and social organizations, the ecological and cultural environment of the Yellow River wetland will gradually improve, and more and more migratory birds will perch over the winter here, presenting a picture of true harmony between man and nature.

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)

Director Song exchanged with Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General of CBCGDF. (Photo credit: CBCGDF)

Volunteers remove poisonous baits.

Volunteers' team

Volunteers demolish bird nets.

Rescue a bird

Patrol and publicize

Promote bird’s protection knowledge in villages

Set up publicity billboards

(Photo credit: Song Keming)

Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4855/7128.html