Crane Dad's 20-Year Dedication to Wetland Conservation

For more than two decades, Gu Yanchang has made Dazhanhe Wetland his home, dedicating his life to the protection of white-naped cranes and their habitat. Transitioning from a forest ranger to a dedicated wetland conservation researcher in 2005, Gu, now known as 'Crane Dad,' has become synonymous with the Dazhanhe Bird Banding Station's success.

His commitment extends to pioneering innovative conservation methods. Gu led the development of a system that merges physical patrols with technological monitoring, advancing wetland protection towards precision and intelligence. Since 2006, his team has banded an impressive 168,920 birds across 102 species, creating a comprehensive database that has earned national recognition.

Gu's fieldwork has involved significant personal sacrifice, including living in a tent near crane nests and braving harsh environmental conditions. His research contributions include publishing eight papers and co-compiling technical specifications for bird tracking in Heilongjiang Province. Furthermore, he and his colleagues have undertaken 116 rescue missions for protected birds and bravely rescued crane eggs during a forest fire in 2013.

Beyond direct conservation, Gu actively promotes ecological awareness. He utilizes new media platforms like WeChat and Douyin to share the achievements of wetland protection, aiming to bridge the gap between conservation efforts and the public, thereby fostering greater enthusiasm for wetland preservation.