Swans crossing icy Yellow River for food in N China

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A cold wave has hit northern China, bringing more ice to the rivers. Thousands of wild swans were seen walking across the floating ice in the Yellow River in the county of Pinglu in northern China’s Shanxi Province.

The Pinglu county is located at the southern part of Shanxi. The wetland along the Yellow River in Pinglu is one of the top three winter habitats for swans in China.

The wild swans in Pinglu Wetland attract many tourists and photographers. /CGTN Photo

This winter, the place has around 8,000 wild swans and the number has been increasing by years. Experts say these swans are from Siberia and Mongolia.

The local lowest temperatures have dropped to around minus 10 degrees Celsius. The stretch of Yellow River at the wetland started to freeze partially. The ice layer is as thick as 2 centimeters, bringing some troubles for the swans to get their food in the water.

The local government has been protecting the wild swans over the years. /CGTN Photo

An aerial view shows that large numbers of swans were crossing the floating ice in the river. They were heading for the shallows for more food. The scene looks like a swan army marching forward.

Swans march forward in the icy Yellow River. /CGTN Photo

However, these wild swans don’t have to worry about their food. Local departments of environmental protection have already prepared sufficient corn and cabbages as food for them throughout this winter.