Helping birds in transit

Two rescued gray cranes are returned to nature on April 2, 2006. Meng Derong is a biology teacher at a college in Cangzhou city, Hebei province. Cangzhou, which borders the Bohai Sea and has a large area of wetland, is an important "transfer station" for migratory birds, many in need of rescue after injuries or disease. In 2003, Meng set up a wildlife rescue center with support from the local forestry authority. Lacking any special funding, Meng raises money for the rescue work and helps the birds in his spare time, along with other volunteers. In the past nine years, they have saved more than 800 wild birds. [Photo/Xinhua]