A Life Devoted to Protecting the Snub-nosed Monkey

Yu is dedicated to ensuring the stability and growth of the ape colony.

The 50-plus monkeys that Yu and his team feed every day are what tourists see in the park, although 400 or more live outside the park, Yu said. But he can only leave the park twice or thrice a month to check whether they are safe.

Yu’s team knows the 50 or so monkeys in the park well, as they have to follow their tracks to feed them and ensure their safety. They generally go home when the ape colony falls asleep. Yu often finds himself in a quandary, however. “The growing influx of tourists must alarm the monkeys, and tourists would be disappointed if they had no access to the apes. But of the two, I’m more concerned about monkeys’ wellbeing.” Yu hence does his best to ensure the stability and growth of the ape colony.

Yu also acknowledges the obvious benefits that the tourism company has brought. As the formerly secluded village greets more and more visitors from the outside world, villagers can now sell them their home-grown produce, like chestnuts, walnuts, and pawpaw. This earns an income that would otherwise be out of reach.

The ape colony and the rangers have become used to each other. For Yu, although his work is hard and laborious, he feels uncomfortable and worried if he doesn’t see the monkeys for a few days. At busy farming seasons, rangers feed the monkeys in shifts, and are on duty even at Spring Festival. And it seems the monkeys appreciate local people’s kindness to them. “They have never once eaten farmers’ crops,” Yu said proudly.