STORY: Chinese expert devoted to protecting wildlife in Kenya's reserve
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Sept. 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:14
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Chinese expert working
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
4. various of locals 
5. various of animals
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert

STORYLINE:

Chinese wildlife expert Zhuo Qiang has devoted himself to protecting wildlife in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
"Every day, I patrol twice, once in the morning and another in the afternoon. There are two main ways to patrol: by car or on foot. For instance, the mountain ahead of us, we have to patrol by foot. We cover longer distances by car.
This is where our rangers live. Their daily duties include patrolling on foot, by motorcycle, and by car. They patrol the entire reserve, checking along the borders for any signs of poachers, illegal grazing, human-wildlife conflicts, or injured endangered animals. They also frequently visit local communities to help promote harmony between the people and the wildlife."

In 2004, when Zhuo Qiang first arrived in Masai Mara, the situation was dire. Fewer than 400 lions remained due to rampant poaching.

Zhuo realized that protecting the animals would require more than just patrolling the reserves.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
"Last week, on Aug. 14, a lion entered the home of a Masai herder and attacked their cattle, injuring two. We have just inspected the wounds of their cattle, and today we are visiting the herder to understand the situation in detail. We need to find a lasting solution to help the herders avoid conflicts with lions.
In the past, when their livestock were harmed by wildlife, herders would often retaliate by killing the animals. Therefore, our conservation work here focuses on resolving human-wildlife conflicts, aiming for peaceful coexistence between the Masai herders and wildlife.
By building enclosures, we have found an effective way to address this conflict."

So far, 59 lion-proof enclosures have been set up to protect livestock from predation.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
"I realized that doing wildlife conservation work isn't that simple. It's not just about taking notes or conducting research. It's about truly helping the local people live in harmony with lions and other wildlife. That is the ultimate solution."

The foundation has also doubled the area under protection, and wildlife populations have rebounded significantly.

Local families participating in conservation efforts have seen their annual incomes increase from 500 U.S. dollars to nearly 4,000 U.S. dollars. 

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): ZHUO QIANG, Chinese wildlife expert
"My dream has already come true, and now it's about making it even better. I hope to share my experience in the African wildlife conservation system with China and other parts of the world. I hope there would be more forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and that our world would become more beautiful, fostering harmony between humans and wildlife, so that we can create a better world for all."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)