2020-03-20
Likes

In the eyes of most young Chinese, wild animals are no longer associated with delicacies, nutrition or wealth like their elders used to believe. Instead, they think the eating habit is unhealthy, barbaric and even despicable.

穿山甲.jpg

Possible cause: According to some preliminary research, pangolins were suspected to have a connection with the coronavirus. — AFP

During the prolonged stay-at-home winter break due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak in China, Zhang Zilin, a 24-year-old woman in south China’s Shenzhen, felt obliged to take action.

Zhang invested a lot of her spare time in writing and editing articles on her WeChat public account, sharing with her followers three times a week ideas about animal protection.

The intermediate host of the virus has not been determined yet, but many experts said wild animals are the most probable source of the epidemic, which reminded people of the SARS outbreak in 2003.

“No one wished for an epidemic like this. But it did help to steer the public’s attention to the subject, ” Zhang said.

Over 30 young Chinese with different professional backgrounds publish articles on her WeChat account. They try to offer varied perspectives and trigger diversified thinking among their readers.

“We can see very different opinions, even disputes from readers on the message board, which is very precious. Seeking common ground while reserving differences can make all of us rethink what is a better way to get along with nature, ” she said.

“Wild animals are friends of human beings and defenders of the balance of the ecosystem. Human beings should be in awe of wild animals, resist illegally killing wild animals, and live in peace with them instead of being superior to them, ” said Wu Shibao, a professor with South China Normal University.

Wu is a pangolin panellist of the International Union For Conservation of Nature, and a strong advocate for upgrading the protection of the pangolin to the highest level in China.

According to some preliminary research, pangolins were suspected to have a connection with the coronavirus.

At Monday’s bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislature decided to thoroughly ban illegal wildlife trade and eliminate the bad habits of eating wild animals.

Shenzhen has gone even further to issue a “white list” of only a dozen edible animals, expanding the ban to other non-protected animals.

“It’s a very big step for Shenzhen to exclude cats and dogs from the white list, ” said Qian Yefang, professor at the College of Law and Political Science of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University. 

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/28/c_138827782.htm

Original title: "China Focus: Young generation assumes bigger role in wildlife protection"

 

What to read next:

[cctv.com] "Chinese olive" performed in the Asian Cuisine Festival
Students of SCNU performed the Lingnan dance "Chinese olive " as part of the intangible cultural heritage
[csstoday.com] 30 years, School of Law on its way ahead
Looking forward, School of Law will continue to blaze new ground, forge ahead
[Guangzhou Daily] SCNU product for fast virus detection
The nucleic acid detection kit ( based on Q-PCR) for the novel coronavirus developed by professor Shu Wensheng,
[cgtn.com] SCNU set up special subsidies for students from Hubei
It means they need emotional and financial support from society After all, it is the virus we want isolated, not love
[cctv.com] SCNU alumni interviewed on epidemic research work
“The special visit of General Secretary Xi makes me more determined to devote myself to the medical enterprise in China,” Cheng said
[xinhuanet.com] Chinese scientists study medical use of cockroaches
Chinese scientists are taking a close look at cockroaches to explore their potential in medical treatment
[nytimes.com] In a Cockroach Genome, ‘Little Mighty’ Secrets
“We’ve uncovered the secret of why people call it ‘xiao qiang,’” he said “Now we want to know the secrets of Chinese medicine ”
[People's Daily] Mine in S China regains vitality through environmental protection
By improving the soil quality, we cut heavy metal contamination and acidification from the source, thus reducing sewage pollution and containing geological hazards
[xinhuanet.com] African volunteer contributes to epidemic prevention in Guangzhou
"Serving as a volunteer has become an important part of my life, " Mubua s efforts also won him praise from other foreigners