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CNN Live At Daybreak
China Grounds Pigeons Due to Fears of Bird Flu
Aired February 13, 2004 - 06:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, China's homing pigeons will not be taking flight. Normally, breeders are preparing them for traditional pigeon races. But no more, because of the bird flu.
More now from Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Homing pigeons fly out of cages and soar over a Beijing suburban neighborhood, part of the daily drills that prepare them for pigeon races. Many of these pedigreed pigeons have won national competitions. They give much pride and fun to a legion of Chinese fanciers.
ZHUANG JIANYHUAN, PIGEON RACER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): It's an old tradition dating back to ancient times to race carrier pigeons to promote friendship, not to make money.
FLORCRUZ: Pigeons, he says, have always been a symbol of peace.
(on camera): But these pigeons may now be grounded. Local authorities have ordered breeders to stop neighborhood drills and competitive races out of fear that these pigeons may spread bird flu.
(voice-over): China has tapped off calling and quarantine measures to contain the epidemic that has spread to nearly half of China's provinces and regions. Beijing has closed down live poultry and bird markets, including this one, where breeders could buy and sell pigeons. This man is upset because he can no longer do his trade.
LI RUIXIANG, PIGEON RACER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I paid the license, tax and rent for a stall. All of a sudden, officials have ordered us to move the pigeons home.
FLORCRUZ: He does not understand why pigeons have to be grounded.
RUIXIANG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Pigeons don't fly when they are sick. If they can still fly high, then they are not sick.
FLORCRUZ: This breeder understands why drastic measures had to be taken, but he also shares the frustrations.
JIANYHUAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is supposed to be the best season for pigeon races and now we can't do anything. All we can do is to take good care of our pigeons and make sure immunization and disinfection are properly done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLORCRUZ: Catherine, it's a small consolation for these breeders and fanciers that their prized pigeons can still live and fly even though they are now confined inside their pens and cages -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: Now, Jaime, I know China has just confirmed some more bird flu cases today.
Is this disease not showing any signs of abating?
FLORCRUZ: Yes, it seems that China is still far away from containing this disease. China has just confirmed cases in southern China, southwest China, eastern China and northern China, making it that nearly half of China's 31 provinces have now reported confirmed or suspected cases. So, it's still spreading across the country -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Jaime.
That's Jaime FlorCruz joining us from Beijing this morning.
Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 13, 2004 - 06:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, China's homing pigeons will not be taking flight. Normally, breeders are preparing them for traditional pigeon races. But no more, because of the bird flu.
More now from Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Homing pigeons fly out of cages and soar over a Beijing suburban neighborhood, part of the daily drills that prepare them for pigeon races. Many of these pedigreed pigeons have won national competitions. They give much pride and fun to a legion of Chinese fanciers.
ZHUANG JIANYHUAN, PIGEON RACER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): It's an old tradition dating back to ancient times to race carrier pigeons to promote friendship, not to make money.
FLORCRUZ: Pigeons, he says, have always been a symbol of peace.
(on camera): But these pigeons may now be grounded. Local authorities have ordered breeders to stop neighborhood drills and competitive races out of fear that these pigeons may spread bird flu.
(voice-over): China has tapped off calling and quarantine measures to contain the epidemic that has spread to nearly half of China's provinces and regions. Beijing has closed down live poultry and bird markets, including this one, where breeders could buy and sell pigeons. This man is upset because he can no longer do his trade.
LI RUIXIANG, PIGEON RACER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I paid the license, tax and rent for a stall. All of a sudden, officials have ordered us to move the pigeons home.
FLORCRUZ: He does not understand why pigeons have to be grounded.
RUIXIANG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Pigeons don't fly when they are sick. If they can still fly high, then they are not sick.
FLORCRUZ: This breeder understands why drastic measures had to be taken, but he also shares the frustrations.
JIANYHUAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is supposed to be the best season for pigeon races and now we can't do anything. All we can do is to take good care of our pigeons and make sure immunization and disinfection are properly done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLORCRUZ: Catherine, it's a small consolation for these breeders and fanciers that their prized pigeons can still live and fly even though they are now confined inside their pens and cages -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: Now, Jaime, I know China has just confirmed some more bird flu cases today.
Is this disease not showing any signs of abating?
FLORCRUZ: Yes, it seems that China is still far away from containing this disease. China has just confirmed cases in southern China, southwest China, eastern China and northern China, making it that nearly half of China's 31 provinces have now reported confirmed or suspected cases. So, it's still spreading across the country -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Jaime.
That's Jaime FlorCruz joining us from Beijing this morning.
Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
