Some pigeons received a special examination for security purposes ahead of China's National Day on Wednesday.

Prior to the traditional annual release of the birds, each pigeon received an "anal security check for suspicious objects," the Chinese state-owned newspaper People's Daily reported.

Tweet

The government-backed Beijing Times also reported the birds were collected from four local carrier pigeon associations. In return for 4 yuan (65 cents in USD) and a participation stamp on their membership card, members offered the 10,000 birds, which been trained for more than half a year.

In the full-page feature, the article described how a reporter accompanied pigeon association members in the West District to Beijing's Yuetan Sports Center at 8 p.m. the evening before the ceremony.

