Yunnan park hires 'wild people' to demonstrate harmony with nature

A recruitment drive for so-called "wild people" at Yunnan Wildlife Park has captivated domestic social media by offering participants an unusual way to relieve stress while promoting the park's message of harmony between humans and nature, local media reported.

The announcement, posted ahead of the National Day holiday by the Chuncheng Evening News, invited those "unwilling to go to work, feeling a lot of stress, and full of wildness" to apply. The temporary roles ran from Sept 27 to 29, with five "wild people" on duty each day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, earning 500 yuan ($70) per day.

On their first day, the newly hired performers, dressed in leather outfits and long wigs, and painted with tribal-style tattoos, immediately drew crowds of visitors.

Fifteen candidates were chosen through an online written test designed to assess understanding of animal behavior, followed by an in-person interview at the park, in which they interacted with animals "as if the animals were the interviewers", staff said.

One performer, a child in costume, was seen feeding alpacas special "mooncakes" made from cornmeal, oats, and wild vegetables, free of sugar and oil. The feeding session, held to mark the coming Mid-Autumn Festival, created a festive atmosphere as visitors watched the animals enjoy their treats.

Park officials said the initiative was part of an effort to find new ways to showcase a harmonious coexistence between people, animals, and the natural world, while giving visitors a relaxed and engaging experience.