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07 I AM THE GUARDIAN | 我是守护者

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas “三江并流”保护区

Friendship with golden snub-nosed monkeys

我和我的朋友——滇金丝猴

The golden snub-nosed monkey is a species found rector of the reserve’s Wildlife Rescue Station, even has
he Baima Snow Mountain solely in China, specifically in the high-altitude alpine bestowed unique names upon the monkeys from Ninth
National Nature Reserve is sit- mountains above 3,000 meters at the intersection of Brother to Rice Grain, White Face, and Red Dot.
The golden snub-nosed monkeys, renowned for
uated in the heart of the “Three Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xizang. Within the Baima Snow their attractive “human-like face and red lips,” are
Mountain National Nature Reserve lies Xiangguqing
Parallel Rivers” World Natural Village, where over 60 golden snub-nosed monkeys granted first-grade State protection in China and are
T Heritage Site, serving as the reside in 10 “families.” This village offers a unique op- recognized as an endangered species on the Internation-
home to approximately 60 percent of Yun- portunity for people to observe these magnificent crea- al Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
nan’s golden snub-nosed monkeys. Within tures up close. Establishing a monkey protection team is among the
this sanctuary, a team of forest rangers and sci- Through spending time together every day, the key measures implemented by the reserve to safeguard
entific researchers act as the guardians of these rangers have forged a special connection with the mon- these precious creatures.
In the Xiangguqing area, a traditional wooden cab-
enchanting creatures. Motivated by their deep keys. Only when the rangers issue their distinct call in serves as a vital monitoring site for the golden snub-
do the monkeys emerge from the depths of the dense
affection for the golden snub-nosed monkeys, forests, leaving visitors from near and far astounded by nosed monkeys. “Every movement of these monkeys
they embark on arduous journeys through this incredible spectacle. can be observed from here,” shared Lai Jiandong, the
snowy peaks and thick forests to ensure their At the break of dawn, Yu Jianhua, a 72-year-old director of the Wildlife Rescue Station at the reserve.
well-being and preservation. monkey protector, embarks on his daily journey. With He emphasized that the reserve is the largest national
his backpack slung over his shoulder, he ventures deep nature reserve in China dedicated to the preservation of
into the mountains in search of the elusive monkeys. golden snub-nosed monkeys. Since the establishment of
Throughout the day, he dutifully shadows their move- a comprehensive protection network for these monkeys
ments, never returning home until nightfall. across Yunnan Province in 2019, the reserve has carried
“We rise before the monkeys and retire after them,” out a range of initiatives aimed at their conservation,
Yu said. The monkey protection team in his area is di- including population monitoring, patrols, restoration of
vided into two groups, each comprising 10 individuals habitat corridors, community engagement, and nature
who take turns safeguarding and providing for the mon- education programs.
keys. When tourists and researchers visit the area, the “In our management and protection efforts for the
team guides them with utmost precision, ensuring they golden snub-nosed monkeys, we have adopted a range
have the opportunity to witness the golden monkeys in of advanced technologies, including infrared camer-
all their glory. as, drones, and remote sensing. Moreover, we have
Yu is a devoted monkey protector in the Xianggu- developed ‘monkey face’ automatic identification and
qing area of the reserve. Since the establishment of the monitoring technology, enabling dynamic monitoring of
reserve in 1983, he has tirelessly dedicated himself to the golden snub-nosed monkey populations,” explained
safeguarding the well-being of the monkeys. From 6:00 Lai. He expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day, Yu stands guard, accumu- various sectors in shaping the reserve into a true para-
lating an impressive 28 years of commitment to their dise for Yunnan’s golden snub-nosed monkeys.
protection. Preliminary statistics reveal a remarkable growth
“I miss the monkeys even if I don’t see them for in the golden snub-nosed monkey population within the
just one day,” Yu remarked with a smile. Not just Yu, reserve. From a mere seven populations and approxi-
other staff members of the reserve all share mately 540 monkeys in 1985, the numbers have soared
a deep connection with them. He to 14 populations and an estimated 2,500 monkeys
Xinming, the former di- today. As a result, the reserve serves as the habitat for
65 percent of all golden snub-nosed monkeys
found in China.