The increase in population is largely thanks to the region's improved ecological environment, including expanded wetlands, rising water levels and more aquatic animals, said Wu Yonglin, who is in charge of biodiversity protection for the Qinghai Lake Natural Reserve.
Wu's team monitors the birds every two months during winter. In October, they spotted 1,772 whooper swans and 28 other bird species, totaling 41,177.
When the lake freezes in January, the swans will live around ice-free springs with abundant food, while all other migratory birds will leave.
About 30 volunteers, including herdsmen, Buddhist monks and nuns, have helped protect the birds and other wildlife since 2009. Experts offer training on how to distinguish between different birds, record their numbers and report abnormalities.
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