In our hands: the survival of the Rhinoceros
Under a clear sky with a bright moon and millions of stars a rhinoceros drinks calmly. She has by her side a young calf, only around two months old. She nudges her baby forwards, so gently with her large horn. She huffs through her nose and the calf reaches up, flapping its ears and extends […]
Tsinling Tree Toad
Qinling Mountains are the geographical divide between China’s north and south. It is the natural boundary separating the subtropic monsoon climate and the temperate monsoon climate. This specialized geographical region creates a natural barrier that ensures the preservation and maintenance of ecosystems. Alongside the giant panda, golden monkey, takin and crested ibis, there are a […]
The Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in Shanxi Province
Zhouzhi, a county with picturesque scenery, is located at the center of the Guanzhong plain in Shanxi Province. With approval from the state council, the Zhouzhi National Reserve for Forest and Wild Animals was established in southwest of the county in 1988. It ranks among the top 40 globally significant reserves in China as determined […]
Returning to Their Roots: A Panda Repatriation
It was a special homecoming for the off-springs of Mei Mei, Liang Bang, and Young Ming, three expatriate pandas who have lived in Japan for the past 13 years. For the first time in their lives, Ai Bang, Ming Bang, Mei Bang, and Yong Bang saw their ancestral hometown at the Chengdu Research Base of […]
The Eternal Beauty: Dashanbao
Overlooking Danshanbao National Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province is like seeing a painter splashing vibrant hues of golden yellow and glaring red. These two stunning colors occupy the vast area of villages and fields. Only a vigorous green competes with these colors, making a tapestry for the senses. The air amongst the mountains and plains […]
Follow Their Traces: To the Wild Giant Panda Habitat
Wild Boar On a hill slope next to the road in an abandoned forest farm, a wild piglet sizes up a member of the census team. Before the surveyors can reach her, the sow quickly scuttles a group of piglets into the dense vegetation and out of sight Wild boars are robust animals that can […]
Adventures in Yinchang Valley
According to local records, Yinchang Valley in Wolong was once rich with deposits of gold during the Qing Dynasty. The entrance of the valley bristles with sheer precipitous cliffs, and under these cliffs the turbulent river crashes its way through. The splashing sound thunders throughout the whole valley, offering a warning to newcomers: the steep […]
4th Panda Census in Sichuan
State Forestry Administration Inspects the Work of the 4th National Giant Panda Census in Sichuan From September 8 to IS, 2012, experts from the Office of the Lead Group of the 4th National Giant Panda Census of the State Forestry Administration inspected the work of the field investigation that was carried out by the 4A […]
Sending a Tibetan Macaque Home
On September 27, 2012, I was conducting field research in the Renzhouhai Area of Sichuan Province. Scarcely had I left our vehicle and taken a few steps when I heard a high-pitched voice coming from the roadside ditch. It sounded like a rodent squealing after receiving a snakebite. Upon closers inspection, it turned out to […]
the 4th National Giant Panda Census in Foping
An Inspiring Good Start “Our team found fresh panda feces!” “We have seen wild pandas!” The 4th National Giant Panda Census was launched by the State Forestry Administration in October, 2011. Shanxi Province forestry officials initiated surveys of multiple areas of giant panda habitat at the same time. All surveyors were carefully trained to use […]