STORY: Explore Altun Mountains -- Safeguarding wildlife on plateau
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 13, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 15, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:30
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Altun Mountain Nature Reserve
2. STANDUP (English): GU YU, Xinhua correspondent
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BULIMBATU, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BULIMBATU, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): BULIMBATU, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
9. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration

STORYLINE:

Altun Mountain Nature Reserve
Xinjiang, NW China

STANDUP (English): GU YU, Xinhua correspondent
"Although the natural conditions of the Altun Mountain Nature Reserve are harsh, there are some people who still choose to stick around, far away from their families, far away from the city, just to protect the ecology of this plateau."

Widely recognized as a "plateau gene bank," the Altun Mountain Nature Reserve is home to over 300 wildlife and more than 380 plant species. 

Reserve staffers have been sticking to their posts for years on the freezing and oxygen-deprived plateau, where the average altitude reaches 4,500 meters.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
"Our routine duty is to patrol the reserve to prevent illegal poaching and mining. As the reserve boasts rich biodiversity, we also carry out some statistical work based on the needs of scientific research. For those who mistakenly enter the reserve, we'll inform and guide them, and offer rescue if needed."

Severe altitude sickness, bad weather and aggressive wild animals are also posing threats for their daily work.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
"The most severe altitude sickness I have ever had occurred during a patrol mission in the west part of the reserve, where the average altitude is above 5,000 meters. I could not even move in the vehicle, suffering from extreme headache, just like needles jabbing my head."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BULIMBATU, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
"We've encountered several different types of weather so far, snowfall, sunshine, foggy and cloudy weather. Disorientation and blindness caused by the bad weather are the worst."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): BULIMBATU, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
"A wild yak is blocking the road."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
"The wild yaks here are very aggressive. They can actively attack humans."

Thanks to the relentless protection efforts, the total population of Tibetan antelopes, wild yaks and Tibetan wild donkeys in the reserve has exceeded 127,000, increasing 63.2 percent in 20 years.

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): SHANG PENG, Staffer with the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration
"I hope through the establishment of the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve, we can better showcase this place to the world, so that more people would know about it, thus engaging more people to participate in natural conservation."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)