Biodiversity protection in Shaanxi Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve

The establishment of the Golden Monkey Monitoring and Research Base at Northwest University and the Zhouzhi Substation for the National Field Scientific Observation and Research of Biodiversity for Giant Pandas and Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, in collaboration with various institutions such as the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Northwest A&F University, Beijing Forestry University, and Northwest University, serves as an internship base for graduate and doctoral students. These partnerships facilitate joint efforts in wildlife surveys and other scientific endeavors, thereby promoting high-quality development within the region.

Research projects have been implemented to conduct extensive surveys, resulting in the creation of a comprehensive database of rare and protected species such as the Giant Panda, Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Golden Takin, Himalayan Yew, and Kingdonia uniflora. This has led to the compilation of 13 specialized survey and monitoring reports, including the "Giant Panda and Its Habitat Monitoring Report" and the "Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Survey Report," earning two second-place awards for scientific and technological advancements from the Shaanxi Forestry Department.

Since 2012, infrared cameras have captured approximately 40,000 photographs and 5,000 video clips of rare wildlife activities, including Giant Pandas and Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys. Remarkably, the Zhouzhi Nature Reserve has recorded three leopards foraging together on three occasions, as well as footage of two wild Giant Pandas playing, and the first recorded appearance of a brown Giant Panda. Additionally, images of the Asiatic Golden Cat have been documented in various areas within the jurisdiction. In 2019, footage of the Golden Takin garnered the "Best Video Award" on CCTV's "Eyes of the Secret Realm." In 2023 alone, the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation efforts has been reported 16 times by provincial and national-level media.

To engage community residents, conservation officers are organized to deeply integrate into communities to promote the "Forest Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "Regulations on Nature Reserves of the People's Republic of China," among other legal frameworks. Concurrently, there is a consistent effort to conduct biodiversity conservation publicity activities, such as "Land Day," "World Wildlife Day," "Qinling Ecological Environment Protection Promotion Week," and "Forest Fire Prevention Month." These activities are carried out at population-dense locations and villages through distributing leaflets, posting slogans, and hanging banners, aiming to raise public awareness about nature conservation through educational public service initiatives.
For primary and secondary school students, natural experience courses are developed, including seven experiential routes such as observing the golden monkeys in Yuhuangmiao Creek and exploring the historical and cultural heritage of Mount Taibai. These routes are designed to organize scientific exploration activities for young people. In recent years, over 20 nature experience activities have been conducted, involving more than 3,000 teachers and students. In August 2022, this initiative was recognized by the Shaanxi Forestry Bureau and the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League as the "Shaanxi Provincial Nature Education Base."

In collaboration with the Shangri-La Group and Jinhua Grand Hotel, corporate social responsibility projects have been implemented, resulting in significant support for local industries such as Chinese honeybee farming and Cornus officinalis cultivation, with a cumulative investment of nearly 300,000 yuan. Partnering with Xi'an Pengxiang Driving School, the “Caring for Qinling Mountain Area - Education Aid and Poverty Alleviation” donation campaign has been conducted for several consecutive years, providing financial assistance to 67 university students from mountainous regions, with total donations reaching approximately 300,000 yuan.

Efforts have been made to mobilize local residents to participate in conservation activities, fostering a cooperative approach to maintaining critical habitats for key species and creating a conducive ecological environment. The reserve has hired 30 residents from surrounding communities as forest rangers, sanitation workers, and security personnel, many of whom come from impoverished households. By addressing employment needs within the community, the relationship between the reserve and the surrounding communities has been significantly strengthened.