A research team, led by Zhang Zhengwang, a professor with the Beijing Normal University and secretary of the China Ornithological Society, witnessed more than 500 individuals of the stork, featuring an all-white cover and long slim legs,in the Beidagang Natural Reserve in April.

"Actually, we have conducted observation for the bird in the natural reserve since 1997 and its population is increasing," said Zhang. "The largest population we have seen is more than 800, exceeding one fourth of the bird's world population."

It is an important sign that the environment of the wetlands in this industrial city has been recovering from the damages left by over-development and pollution before, said Zhang.

The municipal government has planned to invest 7.43 million yuan for a program to protect the Beidagang wetland.

Tianjin is an important stop on the way of the storks migrating from their habitat in northeast China to the south to stay over the winter.

The municipal government has stepped up protection for the wetlands in the coastal areas by establishing natural reserves and shutting down factories which cause pollution to protect the rare storks.

In addition, the government has carried out operations to fight against poachers while funding research on the birds living in the reserves and setting up data bases for further study. (One U.S. dollar equals to 7.71 yuan.)