China's Siberian tigers come in from the cold

A valley in Hunchun. Since 2015, State-owned forest farms in Jilin have shifted from logging to green industries, such as tourism. [Photo by Zhang Zefeng/China Daily]

"We are relying on our renewable forestry resources to achieve economic growth," said Cao Yongfu, the bureau's director. "Workers who are willing to make changes to improve their lives are given a lot of support."

Raising awareness

In addition to time-trusted methods, such as educating hunters to stop them hunting and involving local communities in tiger conservation, forestry bureaus are also working to improve awareness of protection among the younger generation.

"We believe that educating younger people is an important and effective method. It can actually affect three generations," said Jia Lihong, director of the publicity center at the Hunchun National Siberian Tiger Nature Reserve.

In 2010, Li Zhixing, secretary-general of the Hunchun Tianhe Siberian Tiger Protection Society, published a textbook called Love my Hometown, Love Siberian Tigers in the hope of improving students' awareness of the tigers and environmental protection.

"I want the students to learn about ecological matters from the local environment, which is mainly represented by Siberian tigers," Li said, adding that the tiger is an "umbrella species", whose survival indirectly protects other species in its habitat. "Protecting tigers protects other wildlife in the ecosystem."

The book has been widely used in Hunchun's primary and middle schools, and it has been adopted by schools in nearby Wangqing and Huangnihe this year.

Zang Yunjuan, a secondary school teacher who has used the book since it was published, has witnessed a significant improvement in students' awareness.

"In the past, few students understood the importance of Siberian tigers and why they should be protected," she said.

"Now, they not only understand the necessity of protecting tigers and other endangered species, but they also see the importance of taking care of the local environment."

Contact the writer at zhangzefeng@chinadaily.com.cn