Guardians of the Mountains: Young Rangers Protecting China's Wildlife 🐾
Deep in the heart of the Chinese mainland's stunning Qilian Mountain National Park, a squad of four passionate young rangers is making a wild difference! 🌲🐻
This incredible park, straddling the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces in northwest China, is like nature's own Avengers headquarters, home to majestic creatures like snow leopards, Pallas's cats, and bharals. 🐆🐈🐏 It's one of China's ten newly established national parks, aiming to preserve the country's natural treasures.
Leading the team is Ma Cunxin, head of the wildlife rehabilitation and breeding station. Alongside his dedicated crew, Ma is on a mission to rescue injured animals and keep a watchful eye on the park's vibrant ecosystem. 🌿👀
\"Ever since I was a kid, I've had a thing for animals,\" Ma shares. \"Studying biology seemed like the perfect fit. On field trips with my professor, my love for wildlife just kept growing!\" ❤️
The team has set up cameras throughout the park, capturing some seriously epic moments. \"We snagged footage of five snow leopards in one shot and six Pallas's cats in another! 📸 We even documented Chinese mountain cats at the highest altitude ever recorded. It's like winning the wildlife lottery!\" Ma exclaims.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The park is huge, and the small team, including two fearless women, faces tough challenges every day. 🏔️💪
\"Sometimes, the animals we find are beyond saving. It's heartbreaking and makes us feel powerless,\" says ranger Xu Fengyi, her voice tinged with emotion. 😔
Another ranger, Zhu Hongyi, admits, \"This isn’t exactly the career my family had in mind. They think there's not much of a future in it. But hey, everyone finds meaning in their own way, right?\" 😊
Despite the harsh conditions and grueling routine, the joy of giving an animal a second chance makes it all worthwhile. \"When an injured creature heals and returns to the wild because of our efforts, it's the best feeling ever!\" says team member Ma Jinglin, her eyes shining with pride. ✨
These young guardians are not just saving animals—they're keeping the spirit of the wild alive. And that's something worth celebrating! 🎉
Reference(s):
Young rangers guard wildlife in northwest China's national park
cgtn.com
