Chatty and amiable, Zhang becomes very serious and strict when it comes to birds' protection, according to his family and neighbors.

Zhang recalls making his rounds along the lakeside one day when he spotted a young man poisoning wild birds. Angry, he reprimanded the man, who pushed Zhang into the water before running off.

Although he was later pulled out of the cold water by passers by, Zhang contracted lung disease and was confined to bed for weeks after the incident.

Zhang says he is fortunate to have the support of his family, who often help him dissuade others from hunting birds.

His wife Li Hairong says: "He's retired and regards protecting birds as his only responsibility, and we'll let him do the work as long as he is healthy." According to Li, Zhang looks for bird traps wherever he goes.

"If he spots any, he will certainly revisit the place to wait for the poachers," Li says, adding that there have been poachers who have tried to bribe Zhang with money but failed.

Zhang has also managed to reduce a local practice of hunting birds shortly after the Spring Festival holidays. He has been visiting his neighbors to extend Lunar New Year greetings and taking the chance to explain to them about bird protection laws and requesting them to report if they know of any poaching cases.

Zhang's long commitment toward the meaningful cause has been recognized and he has been awarded a series of honors. He was named one of the annual "Public Law Figures" by the National Office for Law Promotion, the Ministry of Justice and China Central Television in December 2012.

But what pleases him the most these days is having a "disciple". Xu Guorong, a bird lover in his 40s, has joined Zhang as a voluntary bird protector.

"He's getting old and it's not so convenient for him to travel alone. So I've become his companion," says Xu, who lives not far from Zhang.

"He often jokes that he will still make his rounds even if it rains knives," adds Xu, who is impressed by Zhang's dedication.

Despite having someone who shares his passion, Zhang says he's not about to retire.

"I won't stop my work as long as I have enough strength to walk," he says.

Contact the writer at liuxiangrui@chinadaily.com.cn.