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Crane Dad's 20-Year Dedication to Wetland Conservation
29 Apr
Summary
- Gu Yanchang, known as 'Crane Dad', dedicated over 20 years to wetland and crane protection.
- He pioneered a system integrating patrols and technology for precision wetland conservation.
- His team has banded nearly 170,000 birds, contributing to a comprehensive database.

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.