A river, 20,000 ducks and countless helping hands

In the early hours of May 26, torrential rain sent river levels surging, submerging farmer Huang Shengli's duck sheds and sweeping away about 20,000 ducks. Huang had raised more than 30,000 ducks, with sales contracts already signed and the birds due to go to market within five or six days.

The business is the primary source of income for the 55-year-old and his family in Wuhan, Hubei province. He remains consumed with anxiety as he recalls the helplessness he felt during the flood while continuing the search for his missing ducks.

"The flood came rolling down in massive surges. I tried to save my ducks but ended up trapped in the raging water," Huang recalled. He was pulled to safety by firefighters and local police officers who arrived just in time.

After taking stock, Huang found that only about 10,000 ducks remained on his farm.

"More than 20,000 ducks were washed away. At a market price of 35 yuan ($4.88) per duck, I've suffered losses of more than 700,000 yuan," he said. "The current was far too strong for me to herd them back. I could only stand by and watch them being carried away."

Huang is a third-generation duck farmer. The ducklings are fed formulated feed in greenhouses for 30 to 40 days before being released outdoors to forage for rice grains and river snails, allowing them to build up strength through natural exercise.