Relocation

Yang Wenbo, director of the Zhalong Nature Reserve administration, praised the family's dedication and long service to the cause of protecting red-crowned cranes.

"Thanks to the efforts of the Xu family and many other protectors like them, we have developed effective methods of artificially propagating the species," he said.

"In addition, the government has introduced a series of measures to restore the wetland and protect its wildlife, including water diversion projects and storage facilities, and returning farmland to wetland."

In 2009, the provincial government began a long-term water provision project to prevent the wetland from contracting.

Nine years later, nearly 3 billion cubic meters of water have been supplied, which has helped to save the endangered cranes and preserve biodiversity.

Moreover, a relocation project that started in March 2013 has made great progress.

"There are two villages and one small settlement of 296 households in the wetland's main area, making a population of about 1,000 people," said Ma Zhandong, Party secretary of Zhalong town, where the wetland is located.

"The local people have traditionally made their living by fishing or selling reeds, but human activity seriously affects the birds."

To prevent the birds from being disturbed, the residents will be relocated.

"About 100 million yuan ($16 million) has been earmarked for the project. A housing estate where the people will be resettled was completed at the start of the year," Ma said. "We have the support of most of the villagers, and the first group will move before Spring Festival."

Wetland resident Yang Fuyou said he is looking forward to moving.

"Our children need schools and our parents need hospitals. That's why we want to move. I have chosen a first-floor apartment where I can open a convenience store and earn a living," he said.

Yang Wenbo said: "We have a population of 430 red-crowned cranes and more than 260 other species of rare birds in the wetland. The nature reserve is a successful example of wetland and bird protection, and it has gained recognition from conservationists both at home and abroad."