Drones banned over China's largest lake

Drones have been banned over Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province out of fear that growing use of the devices to capture aerial photographs is scaring away wildlife.

Visitors have been chasing after migratory whooper swans with drones, said the lake's administrative bureau on Tuesday.

The number of swans settling on the lake is dramatically down this winter as a result, said local amateur photographer Wang Qiwen.

Some visitors have also been using car horns and fireworks to agitate the birds for better photos, said ornithologist Fang Hua.

The administrative bureau has increased the frequency of its patrols around the lake to control visitor behavior. Endi