Forest Park Sees Mutual Benefits with Research Institutions

In the bustling and vibrant world of Pu'er Sun-River National Park in Yunnan Province, a captivating tapestry of life unfolds before visitors' eyes. As they meander through the various exhibits, they are treated to a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, each one celebrating the rich diversity and wonders of the animal kingdom.

Spanning over 20,000 hectares, the park provides a sanctuary for over 2,800 species of flora and fauna, such as red panda, rhinoceros, spinulose wood fern and so on.

A glimpse of Pu'er Sun-River National Park, photo by Peng Xinyi

Behind this creature-centric environment lies the ingenuity of humans, especially people from research institutions.

From the park's very inception, a team of dedicated experts has been meticulously involved in every aspect of its development. They cover a broad spectrum of fields, ranging from environmental monitoring and animal conservation to architectural design.

Those experts have carefully considered every detail, from creating the perfect living conditions for the animals to ensuring the preservation and balance of natural resources.

A glimpse of Pu'er Sun-River National Park, photo by Liu Zhaoxi

“For animals sensitive to external stimuli, such as noise, ingenious construction techniques have been employed, including specially designed ceilings to minimize disturbances during inclement weather. The collaboration between animal care experts and construction personnel ensures that every specific requirement is met,” said Wu Benhang, the associate manager of the park.

This careful attention to detail has contributed to the park's stable development over time.

Continuing to push the boundaries, the park seeks continuous collaboration with various research institutions. They partner with the Chinese Academy of Forestry to develop monitoring plans for key protected species, while also teaming up with Yunnan Normal University to install advanced infrared cameras across the park to capture stunning wildlife images.

A worker engaging in a collaboration project, photo from Pu’er’s Forestry and Grassland Bureau

Despite these achievements, challenges still lie ahead.

The red panda, the endangered furry mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China and a beloved star of the park, attracts throngs of visitors annually. According to the evaluation from experts, the park boasts an ideal ecological environment for their growth.

However, Wu acknowledges, “Due to a lack of robust research institutions, the population of red panda hosted by the park is still outnumbered by other parks in regions like Sichuan.”

To tackle the issue, the park is now reaching out for related research support, and focusing on more targeted and detailed study, to preserve red panda as well as other endangered wildlife.

Another example that Wu mentioned is the rhinoceros. The park aspires to learn from the largest breeding base in the country, Kunming Shilin, and seeks collaboration with a research institution focusing on rhinoceros, in order to provide more targeted conservation support for these endangered wildlife species.

Rhinoceros in the park, photo by Cao Pengyuan

Cooperation with universities like Southwest Forestry University serves to anchor cutting-edge research topics based on specific animal conservation needs. For instance, they are proactively exploring ways to prevent highly fatal clostridium infection in deer species and developing strategies to reduce animal liver disease mortality.

Such kind of collaborations not only boasts the park’s development, but facilitates the academic study on wildlife in educational institutions.

By opening itself as a research field base, the park is joined by scientists from diverse institutions. As a result, groundbreaking discoveries have been made, identifying new insect species within the park and publishing their findings in international academic journals.

The park also holds internship programs for students every summer. Through immersive training on concepts, culture, and professional knowledge, many students specializing in tourism have become skilled tour guides.

“The park continues to forge strong partnerships with universities to provide relevant knowledge during students' academic years, ensuring a seamless transition into their careers," Wu said.

“For those who excel during their internships, the park opens the door to direct employment opportunities,” he added.