A mandarin duck is released after its recovery, on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, in northeast China's Shedao—Laotieshan National Nature Reserve. [Photo: cnr.cn]

Northeast China's Shedao--Laotieshan National Nature Reserve is stepping up efforts to ensure the safe journey of the northeast Asian migratory birds on their way to the north.

A key approach is to increase publicity about the protection of birds and the eco-system and to fight against the capturing and killing of birds, China National Radio's Web site "cnr.cn" reported.

The recent efforts are part of the ongoing 27th Bird-Loving Week Activities, which started on Tuesday in the nature reserve in Dalian.

At the opening ceremony, some birds, including a mandarin duck under second-level state protection that was rescued and taken care of by a villager in the nature reserve, were released back to nature.

The villagers, who had been protecting and taking care of the birds, were awarded honorary certificates.

Each year, nearly 10 million migratory birds in more than 300 species would pass Shedao--Laotieshan National Nature Reserve on their journey and the capturing and hunting of these birds by humans pose a threat to these birds.

(CRI English April 23, 2008)