Chapter 311 Return, Mixed Breeding Zone Open!
Airport!
Li Shi, Gu Shi, and Fang Ye waved goodbye, "Zoo Director Fang, goodbye!"
"If there's any new progress about the green peafowl, I will send it to you!"
Fang Ye smiled and waved back, "Alright! I look forward to your good news, bye-bye!"
He had stayed in Yunnan for about a week, and when various environmental protection organizations got involved and the green peafowl crisis was brought to light, he was ready to catch a flight back.
Wildlife conservation work doesn't need a hero, but rather a group of hopeful people working together.
Take this trip to Yunnan, for instance. Firstly, it was Li Shi who contacted him with intelligence about the green peafowl crisis through an email. The uncle on the plane lectured about the hydropower station, Gu Shi told him about the peafowls' current living conditions, and the kind of habitat they need.
The villagers shared their personal experiences and affection for the green peafowl, pointed out their locations, including the scientists who were about to come here to conduct research, the ordinary people who forwarded articles on the green peafowl for awareness and made donations – all contributing to the conservation efforts for the green peafowl.
The remaining survey and evidence collection work was a long and arduous process, and Fang Ye was not an expert in the field, so there was no need to stay there once his role was fulfilled.
Conducting educational outreach to visitors at the zoo was equally meaningful work, as people's environmental awareness does not fall from the sky; it is cultivated slowly, bit by bit.
Before leaving, he also reminded Gu Shi that if it was difficult to gather evidence for the green peafowl's situation, they could consider obtaining evidence from rare plants, which can't grow long legs and run away.
...
As he settled into his plane seat, Fang Ye looked out the window at the clouds and the changing landscape of mountains and rivers below, and for a moment, became lost in thought, remembering the beautiful green peafowl he had seen in the valley.
Then he remembered the system's reward!
He closed his eyes, pretending to rest, but in reality, he quietly asked the system, "System, speaking of which, when will the reward of the green peafowl be issued? Everyone is paying attention to the green peafowl now, aren't they."
"The mission is not yet complete!"
"And what is the completion standard? Is it for the non-profit organizations to sue the construction company and stop the hydropower station from being built, or do we need to wait until they win the case? It surely isn't waiting for the green peafowl population to recover to 1,000 individuals, is it? That would take forever."
"The standard for completion is winning the case."
"Alright then~"
Fang Ye was a bit disappointed, realizing that he wouldn't be getting the green peafowl anytime soon!
Then he remembered something else and felt a bit worried, "Speaking of which, with so few green peafowl left, how are you going to source them?"
System: "Please rest assured, Host, all animals provided by the system have legitimate sources that can be traced in the real world! The green peafowl was illegally hunted and smuggled out of the country a while ago, and somehow ended up with a wealthy foreigner. You bought it back for a large amount of money."
"Oh!"
Fang Ye felt reassured by this method, thinking that as long as the system found a way to get it past scrutiny, it was good enough.
...
"Director, you're back?"
"Director, you have worked hard!"
"Director, it's been a long time since we've seen you!"
Along the way, whether it was staff or visitors, they all greeted him warmly, and Fang Ye responded with a nod and a smile!
Back at the zoo, watching everyone from kids running around, couples strolling hand in hand, to relatives pushing the elderly in wheelchairs—all with relaxed and happy expressions—brightened his own mood as well.
The entire zoo was his home!
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Opening the office door, Lan Li was at the computer, tapping away at something. Seeing Fang Ye at the door with his arms wide and a silent smile, she blinked dumbfoundedly, not registering the situation immediately!
Then she stood up joyfully, like a happy little bird flinging itself into his embrace.
"Director Fang, you didn't even tell me you were coming back! I would have picked you up at the airport!"
"Why bother running so far? Didn't I make it back smoothly on my own?"
Fang Ye stroked Lan Li's hair, smiling. "Missed me that much, huh?"
Lan Li, a bit embarrassed, chuckled: "Hehe!"
"I missed you quite a bit, too!"
The two hadn't seen each other for some time, but their affection hadn't faded—in fact, it had grown a bit stronger. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?
Fang Ye took Lan Li's hand tenderly. "Come walk with me around the park, and let's chat along the way!"
"Sure!"
Fang Ye recounted his experience searching for the green peafowl. Even though he had told her about it over the phone, Lan Li listened with rapt attention. Watching him gesticulate excitedly as he spoke made it seem as if she was experiencing the adventure firsthand.
Fang Ye remembered to ask, "Speaking of which, how's the zoo been lately? Have there been any fights among the animals, any sicknesses, anything?"
"The monkeys have been fighting! There was this one particularly fierce fight, and Brother Lü quickly took some people to break it up. As for illnesses, oh, Mingming hurt her leg while being trained to climb trees recently."
"Is that so..."
Fang Ye frowned slightly.
They had started training the animal keepers to train red pandas because they are good-natured and not as dangerous as lions or tigers, making them relatively easy to work with!
They use a target stick, pointing to a certain spot. If the red panda comes, they click a clicker to indicate a correct action, and at the same time offer a small piece of its favorite treat, apple, as a reward. It's a rather simple form of training.
Of course, even such rudimentary commands are challenging for the animals. At first, the command must be broken down even further: click and offer a small piece of apple, and then gradually introduce more complicated commands once they are familiar with the process.
Mingming, already advanced in years, was not very keen on exercise, and lack of exercise can lead to poorer health, so they had devised a fitness regimen for her, encouraging her to climb trees daily to get more exercise. Instead, she ended up falling from one.
As a result, she was even less likely to exercise now, creating a vicious cycle.
After some thought, he said, "Once her injuries are healed, we should start with some strength training for her limbs. Maybe we can use a hanging ring, let her grab onto it each day."
It was like those fitness facilities in residential areas!
Not too high off the ground, just the right height to grab while standing. That way, if she lets go when she is tired, she won't fall down.
The elderly can't do strenuous exercise, so it's best to start with some gentle fitness to help get back in shape.
Lan Li then said, "The mixed species enclosure for the red foxes, bharals, and sika deer has also opened. Would you like to go look?"
"Right! I almost forgot." Fang Ye's eyes lit up, and he said eagerly, "Let's go have a look."
The mixed species enclosure was supposed to open simultaneously with the bear exhibition area, but the preparation for the mixed species was a bit more troublesome. After scent introduction, they also had to let the animals see each other through the cages to get acquainted, so they wouldn't be shocked or startled at first sight.
Additionally, it was a time to observe the animals' temperaments, which is why it opened a week later.
Upon arriving at the mixed species enclosure, the first thing that caught the eye was a striking rocky hill at the back, and a lake of about 300 square meters in the middle of the exhibit.
The animals were getting accustomed to the new environment of the exhibit!
The foxes had already found the caves next to the rocks on the hillock and made it their stronghold. Using the rocks and sparse groves for cover, they peeked out surreptitiously. The bharals and sika deer were active in their respective areas, not daring to venture too far from the shelter.
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