Guangzhou wildlife projects unaffected

Yang Chuanyun, deputy general manager of the Nansha wetland park, located at the mouth of the Pearl River, said more than 1,000 tourists arrive daily to watch wild birds.

"There have been no reports of tourist groups canceling their visits to the wetland out of fear for the H7N9 virus," Yang said.

Fight against H7N9 bird flu

"The park has proved to be safe. Our personnel carry out inspections, and the necessary sterilizing measures have been carried out every week since the outbreak started."

Hu Huijian, a researcher at South China Research Institute of Endangered Animals, said people will not be infected with H7N9 or other bird flu strains unless they have close contact with birds or eat wild bird.

"Results have also shown that wild ducks and geese play an important role in controlling the growth of wild water lettuce and other aquatic plants in the wetland parks in Guangzhou's Panyu district," he said.

But Guangzhou's plan to attract wildlife and bird watchers to the city has been controversial among some experts and residents, including Wang Yingyong, the deputy director of the Biological Museum under Guangzhou-based Sun Yatsen University.

"The plan should be canceled. With more than 15 million residents, Guangzhou is densely populated, and there is a high risk when wildlife is attracted to urban areas," Wang said. "Testing personnel have found highly pathogenic bird flu viruses in kestrels, black-headed gulls, spotted doves and other wild birds in the city."