Domesticated black boars in a pigsty. Any abnormal behavior will be reported to the seismological bureau. [Photo/IC]

The seismological bureau in Nanjing has transformed seven animal farms into seismic stations, believing that closely monitoring the behavior of certain creatures can help forecast earthquakes, Modern Express reported.

Breeders have to brief the bureau in the eastern city about the behavior of the animals twice a day, or abnormal behavior as soon as possible, through QQ, Chinese instant messaging software.