Hang Xianyin took the bodies of two swans and four wild ducks to the Nanchang Wildlife Management Station, on the afternoon of January 5, 2009.

Huang Xianyin, a conservationist from Henghu Township near the shores of the Poyang Lake, displays the bodies of two swans killed by poachers. [Jiangnan City Daily]

"We are determined to combat the criminals who are destroying the local wildlife, but, to be honest, our work has little effect. Poyang Lake is huge and with only around ten people we can't patrol it effectively. We publish material on the need to protect migrating birds in all the local townships and villages, and we have guards posted in several places," said Mr Li, the head of the station.

It is not the first time Huang Xianyin has taken evidence of poaching to the authorities. "The provincial and municipal departments say they are very concerned about the problem; but when it comes down to it, they do nothing," he said.

(China.org.cn by Wang Wei, January 14, 2009)