Meet the Guardians of Sichuan’s Golden Monkeys

Deep in the misty mountains of Sichuan’s Baihe Nature Reserve, Tang Yulin treks through dense forests, his boots crunching on frost-kissed leaves. As a third-generation forest ranger, Tang isn’t just protecting trees—he’s safeguarding the future of China’s endangered golden monkeys, whose golden fur and playful antics have made them icons of biodiversity.

\"It’s like living in a real-life Studio Ghibli film,\" Tang says, laughing, as he describes the reserve’s emerald valleys and snow-capped peaks. But the job isn’t all magic: Rangers brave sub-zero temperatures, steep terrain, and long days to monitor monkey populations and combat habitat loss. Yet Tang insists it’s worth it. \"Seeing a newborn monkey thrive? That’s our ‘winning the lottery’ moment.\"

His family’s legacy—spanning over 50 years—mirrors China’s growing conservation efforts. Thanks to stricter anti-poaching laws and eco-tourism initiatives, golden monkey numbers are slowly rebounding. Now, younger volunteers are joining the cause, armed with drones and AI tech to track troop movements.

Want to help? Tang’s advice is simple: \"Respect nature. Every small action counts.\"

Reference(s):

A guardian's message to Sichuan's golden monkeys

cgtn.com