In the remote reaches of China's northwestern frontier, a group of young people have been protecting one of the country's rarest mammals, the Sino-Mongolian beaver, whose population has dwindled to the brink of extinction due to habitat loss.
Found only along the Ulungur River in the Altay region in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Sino-Mongolian beaver is considered "living fossils" and "hydraulic engineers" of the animal kingdom for its dam-building prowess that supports biodiversity.
In 2018, Chu Wenwen, a forestry graduate from Beijing Forestry University, returned to her hometown of Altay and founded the Xinjiang Altay Nature Conservation Association. Through this platform, she launched the "Beaver Family" initiative, a public welfare community committed to rescuing Sino-Mongolian beavers and restoring their fragile habitats.
"When we established the association in 2018, beaver protection was set as our main priority. Beavers are also recognized in many special ways, such as one of the national first-class protected wild animals and engineers of the animal kingdom. They are capable of improving the overall quality of their surroundings by bettering the environment they live in. They build dams, allowing the algae to grow, which feeds more fish and waterbirds, thus connecting the ecological network," said Chu.
The group has since attracted dozens of young volunteers, local farmers, herdsmen, and support from government agencies and private foundations. Their work includes habitat restoration, public education, and biodiversity monitoring.
For Chu, the motivation runs deeper than science.
"The reason people choose to help wildlife is because living in this world as humans comes with many rules and limitations. But such rules don't exist for wildlife. They possess the purest, most direct freedom. So when we help these wild animals and enable them to return to nature, it's as if they carry our longing for freedom as they return to the wild, continuing to live with the kind of freedom we desire," said Chu.
Chu says the project's success lies in its collective spirit and the ability of young people to mobilize through digital platforms.
"We have gained a lot through the Internet. Another reason is that China has already invested massive manpower in nature conservation. We stand on the shoulders of our predecessors and rely on their experience. On this basis, we always strive to make things fun to attract more young people. What's important is that we build a strong foundation," said Chu.
As the Beaver Family grows, Chu hopes that the project can facilitate the survival of generations of wildlife.
"We aspire to build a bridge between human society and nature. Hopefully, our efforts can facilitate the survival of generations of wildlife," said Chu.
China's "Beaver Family" fights to save endangered species in Xinjiang
