Rescued swan resumes migration from Dongting Lake

An injured swan saved at the Dongting Lake in central China's Hunan Province last November was released back to nature and rejoined its flock to migrate north in February, and its story is told at the International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) that fell on Friday.

The little swan named Yue Yue is now at its northern habitat in a wetland in Inner Mongolia.

Yue Yue was among some 4,000 swans that stayed in the Dongting Lake for winter last year, and got stuck in a pond with serious injuries when Hu Zhenghua, a villager of Qinggang in Yueyang City by the late discovered it on Nov 23, 2021.

Hu was to feed shrimps he raised in the pond and saw the stranded swan.

"There were many swans in the field. They flew away as I came, except one squatting here who couldn't take off," said Hu.

Hu did not dare to disturb the bird, and tried to feed it with a little food, hoping it could recover on its own. Yet the bird showed no sign of becoming better after some time. Hu then contacted the forestry administration, and delivered Yue Yue to Long Yong, a local volunteer who has long been engaged in bird protection.

Long's diagnosis indicated that Yue

Yue was seriously injured.

"It could not stand up, and its wings were injured. It tended to fester at its nail and wings," said Long.

Under the guidance of the local animal husbandry service center and the forestry station, professional treatment was given to Yue Yue. The bird received meticulous care, having anti-inflammatories applied to it three times a day and nutritious meals with milk and porridge.

Nearly two weeks later, Yue Yu's injures gradually healed. Experts assessed its case and decided it was time to release Yue Yue back to nature. They attached a bird tracking device to the bird, and released it at the lake.

Data from the tracker indicated that Yue Yue continued to stay wintering around the Dongting Lake after its release, and embarked on the migratory journey back to the north with the flock on Feb 23. It has been staying in a wetland area in Bayannur City of Inner Mongolia these days.