Home on the range

Niu reveals that their conversation during lunch is getting increasingly detailed as they are becoming more familiar with the creatures in the area.

"When I first started working as a custodian, all I would say when I spotted a bird was, 'Look, there's a bird.' But now we are all able to recall the scientific name off the top of our heads and identify its gender by its features," he says.

Lin Jianyi, 25, is the only college graduate among the staff members of the station.

After studying Forest Conservation for three years at Yunnan Forestry Technological College in Kunming, Yunnan province, he returned to his hometown after graduation.

"At school, I learned about wildlife from books. Here, that knowledge comes to life," Lin says.

He reveals that, as local residents become more aware of the importance of protecting the environment, animals are not as vigilant as they used to be. They no longer run away immediately when they see humans.

"It's like the animals have spread the word that humans will not hurt them anymore. We now have many opportunities to get up close to them. I think that peace between humans and animals will last," says Lin.

Lin adds that many researchers come to Qinghai and he really enjoys helping them, guiding them into the deep forest safely or setting up infrared cameras to capture traces of wildlife.

There's always a shy smile and inconspicuous excitement hanging on his face when he talks about his work as a custodian. "No matter where I am or where I might go in the future, I will never stop working on forest conservation," he says.

Zhang Shengyou, 23, has been working as a custodian since he graduated from high school six years ago.

Last March, Zhang participated in the release and monitoring of a snow leopard, which had broken into a herdsman's home. He also saw the body of an antelope it had killed following its release.

"It is indescribably exciting to see something that I had previously only seen on TV at such a close distance," he recalls.

About his future career path, he says in a high-pitched voice, and without hesitation, "I will start thinking about it after another 12 years!"

As a keen shutterbug, Zhang takes his camera on patrol with him every day to record the development of flora and fauna in the Qilian Mountain National Park (Qinghai).

Zhang runs a personal account on Kuaishou, a Chinese short video platform. His videos and pictures showing the beauty of the Qilian Mountains have received nearly 60,000 likes.

"I want to guard the Qilian Mountains and the wildlife here alongside my colleagues and, with my camera, present the charm of the place to more people."

Zhang Junshan, the station manager, says that the young custodians are all very talented and hardworking.

"Some of them are good at expressing themselves, some have outstanding photography skills and some can expertly operate advanced patrol equipment," he says. "I am sure that these young people will be able to take the baton from the old custodians in the future and continue to bring peace and development to the mountains."