Swan caretaker at Sanmenxia lake: the man behind the water angel

The feeding site near Swan Lake is about two meters below the surface, requiring Pan to hoist himself down with a rope. [Photo by Sun Meng/ismx.cn]

Pan walks slowly so as not to disturb the water fowls. He feels a special connection with the swans who take refuge here each winter and is doing everything he can to protect the birds, he said. [Photo by Sun Meng/ismx.cn]

Tourists flock to Sanmenxia to catch a glimpse of the white swans, only possible thanks to caretakers like Pan. The administrative office of the Yellow River Wetland in Sanmenxia began to feed the swans and other migratory birds corn in 2009. About 80,000 kilograms have recently been bought in stock. [Photo by Sun Meng/ismx.cn]