Zhu, Wang and their colleagues sought help from ornithologists and organized meetings to find solutions.

Through technological innovation, they designed protective shields using a new type of epoxy resin insulation material. After they are installed on towers, the shields can prevent stork activities from affecting the power lines, Zhu said.

"This patented technology has been widely applied in the whole company," he said.

With conservation efforts from all sides, the global population of the Oriental white stork has recovered from barely 3,000 before 2000 to about 9,000 at present.

"We have developed innovative solutions enabling transmission lines and birds to coexist in harmony," Wang said. "We hope our project will win more support from the public to protect transmission lines and the storks."