East China's Shandong Province established a state-level wetland preserve Wednesday, a local source said.

The Shell Dike Wetland Preserve in the county of Wudi has been upgraded to a state-level preserve from a provincial one, making it the second one in the Yellow River Delta.

Regarded as a natural biological museum, the 2000-year-old dike has 459 wildlife species including some rare clams, conches and seals. In addition to these, the saline meadows and some swamp and wetland vegetation are also seen in the preserve.

It is one of world's three biggest ancient shell dikes. The other two are located in North America and South America's Surinam.

The Yellow River Delta Preserve, the first natural preserve of wetlands and endangered birds in the area, was founded in 1987. It was upgraded to the state level in 1992. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2005)