All creatures great and small

Cooperating with Yuanjiang Science and Technology Association, Li has held exhibitions of his specimens on the street and on campus to raise the public awareness about biodiversity and environmental protection.

Last year, the Dongting Lake biodiversity gallery, covering more than 500 square meters, was built to display Li's creations.

Yang Jianjun, Party secretary of Sanyantang village, hopes that the gallery will enrich the cultural lives of local residents and be developed into a scenic spot, bringing more tourists to Sanyantang.

Still not satisfied with the gallery's current condition, Yang says that a company has been hired to renovate it with an investment of about 4 million yuan ($575,222).

At the entrance of the gallery, there are eight rabbits welcoming the visitors, an installation designed by Li to mark the Year of the Rabbit.

Li is also glad to see that dramatic changes have occurred in and around Dongting Lake thanks to the government's efforts. In 2020, a 10-year fishing moratorium was established on the lake.

The population of indicative and endangered species has increased, or has been stabilized, such as winter migratory birds, Chinese milu deer and Yangtze finless porpoises, according to local environmental department.

In February last year, a record-high 404,000 waterfowl, representing 74 species, were spotted at Dongting Lake.

Walking around the lake, Li has seen Chinese mergansers, milu deers and white eels, which he says he finds thrilling, as if meeting old friends.