SHIJIAZHUANG -- More than 2,000 oriental white storks have been spotted in a wetland in North China's Hebei province.

The Caofeidian Wetland, located in the city of Tangshan, is an important spot for the migratory bird species which is under first-class national protection and is listed as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The wetland has set up a ford and a reed pond marsh to breed fish and shrimp as bird food. It has also built a supplementary feeding area in a bid to make the place an ideal habitat for the storks.

Meanwhile, wetland authorities have stepped up efforts to manage the water environment and protect biodiversity.