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Meet Chu Wenwen, a 20-something wildlife guardian from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region who’s gone viral for turning beavers into eco-celebrities—and rescuing everything from malnourished bear cubs to endangered birds. Her story is straight out of a Gen-Z playbook: mixing conservation, TikTok-style animal streams, and a squad of 500 volunteer herders to protect China’s wild spaces.
From Bear Rescues to Beaver Cafeterias
Chu’s Altay Nature Conservation Association isn’t your average environmental group. They’ve saved 291 animals since 2018, including Neng Neng—a brown bear cub found 'skinny and barely alive' near a river. After months of care (and sneaking meds into her snacks ), Neng Neng became China’s first brown bear released using international rewilding standards. 'She looked back at us like she was smiling,' Chu recalls.
When Conservation Gets Real
Not all stories have happy endings. A demoiselle crane poisoned by pesticides died despite their efforts—a 'heartbreaking' reminder of the fragility of wildlife work. But Chu’s team focuses on big wins: their 'Beaver Cafeteria' project planted 750,000 trees to boost populations of rare Sino-Mongolian beavers (rarer than pandas! ). Result? A 20% population jump in 30 years.
Gen Z’s Eco Awakening
Chu’s secret weapon? Mobilizing China’s youth. Volunteers fund their own trips to plant trees, while live-streamed beaver antics attract millions online. 'It’s about respecting life,' she says. 'We’re all equal tenants on Earth.'
Her message to global youth: 'Every species matters. And yes—even beavers need hype squads.'
Her story is straight out of a Gen-Z playbook: mixing conservation, TikTok-style animal streams, and a squad of 500 volunteer herders to protect China’s wild spaces.
), Neng Neng became China’s first brown bear released using international rewilding standards. 'She looked back at us like she was smiling,' Chu recalls.
). Result? A 20% population jump in 30 years.
