Xinjiang's Korla registers record number of migrating swans

Korla City in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region registered a record number of migrating swans this winter, as the local environment has improved in recent years, according to local authorities.

The number of swans spending the winter in Korla since this year has reached more than 500, according to Zulaygul Tursun, with the city's gardening and greening bureau.

The birds, under second-class national protection, have been spending winters in Korla since 2006. An average of around 250 wild swans visit the city each year.

The city set up a special "swan squad" in 2006 to monitor the bird's number, feed and offer assistance. Government subsidies for feeding the birds over the years have amounted to over 1.2 million yuan (about 173,500 U.S. dollars).

"With the care, the number of swans has been increasing over the years, and the average duration of their stay increased from 51 days to over 180 days," said Zulaygul, who is also part of the squad.