Overwintering migratory birds gradually arrive at Poyang Lake, and Jiangxi Yongxiu takes multiple measures to protect them

On October 18, in Yongxiu County, Jiangxi Province, Wang Xiaolong, a patroller at the Wucheng Protection Management Station within the Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve, shared some exciting news with reporters: “Just a couple of days ago, while patrolling the lake area, we spotted a remarkable group of 12 black storks, which are often referred to as the ‘giant pandas of birds.’ This is the largest group of black storks that we’ve monitored since the beginning of this autumn.” As temperatures drop, more and more migratory birds are arriving at Poyang Lake.

Poyang Lake is known as China’s largest freshwater lake, an internationally significant wetland, and a key ecological zone globally. Each year, during the autumn and winter months, over 700,000 rare migratory birds travel from the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, the swamps of Northeast China, and the wilderness of Siberia to spend the winter at Poyang Lake. Among these birds, the black stork stands out as one of the brightest “stars” in the migratory bird lineup.

Currently, the population of black storks in China is estimated at around 1,000, classifying them as a national first-level protected species. They are listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, making their rarity comparable to that of the giant panda.

To enhance wetland ecology and protect migratory birds, various departments in Yongxiu County, including forestry and fishery governance, have taken proactive steps. They utilize a smart wetland integrated information management platform alongside a monitoring system that tracks migratory birds 24/7. Additionally, they have launched the “Poyang Lake Sword” special action for the 2024-2025 period.

Hu Wenbin, the deputy head of the Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Team in Wucheng Town, elaborated on the initiative: “The ‘Poyang Lake Sword’ special action not only helps eliminate potential threats to bird safety but also aims to crack down on illegal hunting and the destruction of wildlife habitats. Moreover, it raises public awareness about wildlife protection, fostering a community effort in conservation.”

To further cultivate an environment where everyone supports bird protection and ensures the migratory birds’ winter food supply, Yongxiu County is actively promoting wildlife damage insurance. This initiative seeks to mitigate property losses for local residents involved in wildlife conservation.

Xiong Bin, the head of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Division in the Yongxiu County Forestry Bureau, noted that as of September 2024, the People’s Insurance Company of China (Yongxiu Branch) had processed 60 cases of government relief insurance for wildlife damage, involving eight townships, with a claims approval rate of 93%, totaling 150,320 yuan.