A tower of power in bird protection (3)

Zheng Qingsong carries an oriental white stork during a rescue operation in 2016. CHINA DAILY

Hunter to protector

Two decades ago, many hunters cast their nets around the forest and wetland of Huangshi to trap fish and wild birds to sell at markets.

Xu Jihong, 53, was one of them, but one day in 1998 he discovered his nets placed in the forest were being torn down and decided to find the culprit.

After learning it was some "officious power grid worker", Xu was angry and attacked Zheng.

But Zheng didn't stop taking down the nets and Xu saw him as someone "messing around with his business". He beat Zheng again, who later showed up at the hunter's front door. "I thought he was coming for revenge," Xu said.

However, to his surprise, Zheng patiently explained his bird protection work and the need to remove the nets.

After learning of the financial difficulties of the hunter's family, Zheng helped Xu find work at the power company as a maintenance worker.

Today, Xu is one of the volunteer protectors of the birds.