I have a wildlife zoo-Chapter 485 Visiting Xining Zoo

The past few days’ gain wasn’t just about seeing a variety of rare animals.

Once, Fang Ye saw a bird’s nest atop a power pole by the road, clearly of an artificial design.

It was inhabited by a pair of saker falcons!

One saker falcon squatted inside, seemingly incubating eggs, while the falcon father brought back a pika from outside, offering it to his mate, and the two saker falcons were blissfully content.

Curious, Fang Ye asked, "What’s this about?"

Qunan shook his head, indicating he only knew that some power poles were outfitted with this, and some birds made nests on them, but he wasn’t sure about the specifics.

So, Fang Ye took a photo and asked Mr. Short-Eared Owl for some information.

Upon seeing the photo, Mr. Short-Eared Owl replied that he was outside at the moment but would talk about it when he came back in the evening.

Fang Ye expressed his understanding!

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Looking at his friend’s social media, it was filled with observing animals all day long.

In the evening, Mr. Short-Eared Owl sent a message back, explaining it in detail.

Raptors are naturally fond of resting at high places for an open view to oversee the distance.

These power poles are called strain poles and, compared to regular power poles, are structurally different with shorter distances between the wires, and the conductors are exposed right on top of the pole, making it easier for raptors to be electrocuted and perish.

Raptors generally have no natural predators; as top predators in the food chain, if large-scale accidental deaths from electrocution occur, it would inevitably have far-reaching effects on the local ecosystem.

A few years ago, when ecologists came to investigate, they discovered this issue and discussed it with the power company. They installed an insulating cover on top of the strain poles, significantly reducing the instances of raptor electrocutions.

Other methods include bird-deterrent devices and raptor poles. Bird-deterrent devices can drive birds away from strain poles, and raptor poles are another type of elevated structure; however, the issues with them are cost and the fact that they are generally shorter than power poles, thus less attractive to raptors.

In the past two years, they’ve come up with a creative solution, creating an artificial bird’s nest specifically designed for raptors, combining power poles with raptor poles.

The location of the nest is above the top of the strain pole, at a greater distance from the wires, further minimizing the risk of raptors being electrocuted, and also enabling them to use these nesting sites for reproduction. Discover more content at novelbuddy

Now, this ecological grid project has been promoted in the Yushu area, with approximately 3,000 specially designed nests installed in 5 counties.

A perilous power pole can also become a tender cradle of life.

Every year, many fledgeling birds grow up atop power poles.

These raptors in turn lead to a healthier and more stable ecosystem on the grasslands.

Thinking of these things, Fang Ye was overwhelmed with emotion for a moment!

This is exactly what every wildlife enthusiast aspires to achieve, a harmonious way for humans and nature to coexist.

This eco-friendly power pole can also be displayed in the zoo in the future, finding a suitable spot for it.

After the Angsai trip concluded, Fang Ye said goodbye to Qunan and his family, thankful for the pleasant journey he had there.

He took a car back to Yushu, caught a flight to Xining, and went to hang out with Zoo Director Qi.

Upon arriving at Xining Zoo, it was usually him hosting others at the zoo, but this time Zoo Director Qi came out to meet them, which Fang Ye found quite refreshing.

Although it was their first meeting in person, they had chatted quite a bit on WeChat and had become fairly familiar with each other, feeling the warmth of old friends reuniting.

Zoo Director Qi warmly shook his hand and laughed, "Director Fang, welcome to the visit!"

He also greeted Lan Li.

Making a joke, Fang Ye said, "Director Qi, I didn’t realize you were quite handsome!"

Zoo Director Qi placed his hand on his hair fringe and, with a flamboyant sweep backward, raised his eyebrows and said, "Every time someone sees me, they compliment me for being upright, kind-hearted, handsome, dashing, and as magnificent as a tree in the wind; quite the elegant gentleman!"

Fang Ye was taken aback. Weren’t you supposed to be complimenting me for being handsome and dashing? This isn’t following the usual script; you’re boasting about yourself instead.

"Good lord! I’ve never seen such a shameless person!"

Both of them burst out laughing.

"I saw your Moments post. Being able to see a snow leopard mother and her cub playing in the wild is just too enviable!"

As they chatted, they began a tour of the zoo under Zoo Director Qi’s guidance.

Actually, Xining Zoo’s environment was not too shabby, but there was a noticeable air of poverty in each of the enclosures.

The Pallas’s cat’s enclosure was only about the size of a bedroom, and the floor was paved with bricks and stones.

When Fang Ye and the others arrived, a few Pallas’s cats were jumping around, frolicking and chasing each other inside.

Zoo Director Qi crouched down, smiling broadly as he greeted the Pallas’s cats through the glass, "Sun Simiao? Sun Xiaomei? We have visitors; come and say hello."

The Pallas’s cats inside paid him no attention at all, not even turning their heads!

They continued their romping and playing as usual.

Pallas’s cats exhibit an interesting behavior: the tip of their tails flicks at high frequency in small amplitudes.

The tails have a mind of their own!

Lan Li watched the Pallas’s cats wiggle their tails, her eyes shimmering with delight: "So cute!"

Despite the poverty, the enrichment was quite imaginative.

There were tree perches and branches leaning against the back wall; the Pallas’s cats could enter the house from below or climb up the trunk and enter through the window above.

On the ground, there were several play balls of various sizes, all looking like children’s toys, but just the right size for the Pallas’s cats.

Fang Ye immediately noticed a rubber hose on the ground, the kind that’s connected to the exhaust vent in homes—a pipe like that, with a diameter about the same as the Pallas’s cats’ waist!

Thinking about how the Pallas’s cats must play inside the pipe, it must be quite amusing.

Curiously, he asked, "This pipe, do the Pallas’s cats like to use it often?"

Zoo Director Qi answered, "They do play with it, but not very frequently!"

Pointing at a platform nearby, which had what looked like a woven grass nest shaped like a bowl, he chuckled, "This was recently donated by a visitor. Our Pallas’s cats particularly love to stay inside, curling up into a ball and peeking outside with just their eyes visible. It’s really fun."

Okay, even the cat bed was donated.

Fang Ye felt both sympathy and immense admiration!

The folks at Xining Zoo may be a bit poor, but they truly put their heart into caring for the animals.

How much could these tree perches, rubber hose, and a few toy balls possibly cost?

But with these items included, the Pallas’s cats would be much happier.

Many zoos engage in activities like feeding or petting young animals for a fee, yet never even consider using some of the revenue to improve the animals’ living quarters.

What the zoo looked like ten years ago is the same as it looks today; only the animals inside have been replaced.

Being poor is not an excuse; it all comes down to the zoo’s philosophy and attitude.

Is the zoo seen as a money-making tool, a city facility, a mere place of entertainment, or is it bearing the sacred duty of carrying the torch, raising public awareness about environmental conservation?