An Eager Beaver

Chu Wenwen was only 2 when she started accompanying her father, a conservationist, on his field research tracking wild animals unique to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, like the Mongolian wild ass and the black-tailed gazelle. Now 28, Chu considers these beautiful creatures part of her family.

After graduating from a Beijing university, she declined job offers in the big city and decided to return home to Altay Prefecture in Xinjiang, and continue work on one of her father’s projects—namely the protection of the endangered Sino-Mongolian beaver.

“I want to raise more awareness, adding that lending wildlife a helping hand only when necessary is the best way to look after them.