There is a bird kingdom born along the coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf in China.
Dongtan sanctuary in Chongming Island, Shanghai, Yellow River Estuary sanctuary in Dongying, Shandong, Nandagang sanctuary in Cangzhou, Heibei, Liaohe Estuary sanctuary in Panjin, Liaoning, and other several sanctuaries are all located along the coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf in China. However, even some Chinese people are unaware that these places have migratory bird stations and world-class wetlands.
These areas provide crucial habitats for migratory birds. Among them, 17 species including the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Black-faced Spoonbill, and Red-crowned Crane are also listed in the IUCN Red List of Species.
On July 5th, 2019, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) project in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. On July 26th, 2024, the Committee inscribed the Phase II project on the World Heritage List.
A Moving Story
Speaking of the Red-crowned Crane, there is a heartwarming and moving story. Xu Xiujuan, a girl who joined her father to protect red-crowned cranes when she was 17 in 1981. She impressed many people as she was able to raise small cranes within only three days. However, six years later, an accident took away her young life.
On Sept 16th, 1987, a white swan went missing. She went around looking for it. When she heard the sound of the swan from the opposite side of a river, she jumped into the river twice, until losing all her energy. In the end, she never reached her destination, and drowned in the river.
Xiujuan’s story had moved so many people, and she was recognized as China’s first martyr in the field of environmental protection. A song tells her story: “Why do the clouds shed tears in silence? Why does the wind keep whispering? A line of red-crowned cranes flying away, so gently…”
In the habitat of migratory birds in the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf, there is also a “pure land” dedicated to milu deer. Before migratory birds arrive, the milu deer are one of the biggest attractions there.
There was a period of time when milu deer were found all over the world, but disappeared in their hometown of China. In 1986, the British Zoological Society selected 39 milu deer from seven zoos in London and sent them to Chinese Milu Park at Dafeng District, Yancheng City. Finally, the milu deer returned to their hometown.
Written by Liu Sha, pictures created by Wang Di.
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