Rewards offered for clues on north China swan deaths

Police in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have offered cash rewards for tip-offs leading to the arrest of poachers suspected of poisoning 233 swans.

The swans were found dead in a lake in Zhenglan Banner, Xilingol League, and tests revealed that they were poisoned with Carbofuran, a type of pesticide, which was detected on the dead birds, according to the Zhenglan Banner government information office.

The local public security bureau has offered 100,000 yuan (about 14,770 U.S. dollars) to anyone who provides information on the identity of the suspected poachers, said Han Ruijin, deputy head of the bureau, on Wednesday.

In addition to the swans, 26 mallards were also found dead in the lake.

Photos of the dead birds, which were removed from the water by local herdsmen, were shared across social networks on Sunday.

Local patrols in areas frequented by migratory birds have been increased and more stringent rules for poultry markets have been introduced.

The lake, about 300 km from Beijing, is a migratory stop for swans.