Wildlife protector reaches for the sky

The long, bitterly cold winter in the northeastern province has become the major challenge to Fu during his fieldwork.

"Every day, we patrol the wetland to monitor birds and control illegal poaching in the reserve," he said.

"In the winter the extremely cold weather and snow-covered roads makes it harder to move quickly, whether on foot or by car."

On a freezing winter day in 2014, Fu found bird traps hidden in the snow. While rushing to remove them, he fell into an icy pit. His clothing froze solid in just a minute.

Sometimes, his work involves facing danger.

Fu recalls a case in which he helped police catch a poacher who illegally possessed a firearm in the autumn of 2014.

"When I found a poacher during patrol, I tried to stop him, but it had no effect. He pointed his firearm at me, ordering me to stop," he said.

Fortunately, nothing happened before the police arrived and no birds were injured by the poacher.

Under his leadership, more volunteers have joined wildlife protection efforts.

In the past 30 years, Fu and more than 60 volunteers of his team have saved and set free hundreds of rare birds.

"Every day during the two migration periods for birds, from March to May, and from August to October, there will be three or four volunteers patrolling with me," he said.

"We have set up a refuge for wildlife and spent more than 100,000 yuan ($14,800) on medicine and fodder for the injured or sick birds we saved."

Despite so many difficult and dangerous situations, Fu seldom thought of giving up, especially when he saw his beloved red-crowned cranes, oriental white storks and others birds thriving in their natural habitat.

"Bird protection is lifelong career for me and I will stick with it," he said. "I would like to see more people join us and more wild birds flying in the sky above the reserve."