Patrol officers guard sacred cranes of Tibet

Tenzin's main daily routine includes patrolling, feeding and rescuing.

"When I am on duty, I make sure the cranes are not chased by stray dogs," Tenzin said. "And I ensure the safety of any birds that are sick or injured."

According to the county's forestry and grassland bureau, there are between 2,000 and 2,200 black-necked cranes wintering in the county right now.

"The black-necked cranes mainly make their winter home around the county's two reservoirs," said Luo Qin, a staff member in the bureau.

"This winter our bureau has distributed more than 6,750 tons of wheat to nine patrol officers to guarantee the black-necked cranes have enough food."