Shanghai suspends bird-watching at nature reserves ( 2004-02-03 17:50) (Xinhua)
East China's Shanghai has ordered a suspension of bird-watching and other
activities in nature reserves under its jurisdiction.
The move is to prevent the possible infection and spread of diseases between
human beings and the birds, said a circular issued by the municipal bureau of
agriculture and forestry.
The municipality has already reported suspected cases of avian influenza.
Shanghai has three nature reserves and other wetlands. Records show that an
average of 1 million migratory birds stop in Shanghai each year.
Yan Haiwei, head of the Administration for Dongtan Avian Nature Reserve in
Chongming Island, said no bird flu cases had been found among birds at the
nature reserve, but they had tightened the administrative procedures and
unauthorized entry was prohibited in the reserve which is included into the
world catalogue of wetlands.
Professionals have been sent to monitor how migratory birds spend the winter
at the nature reserve around the clock, while efforts have also been made to
educate residents about the suspension, said Yan.
Xie Yimin, head of the section for wildlife protection with the municipal
bureau of agriculture and forestry, said staff had been mobilized to conduct a
sample survey of migratory birds and determine whether they were virus carriers.
