Drones to the Rescue: Missing Goats Recovered Within 30 Minutes in Laojunshan
Updated：2026-05-07 Source：Shennongjia National Park
“Found them! We finally found them!” On the noon of May 6, a search operation concluded with cheers in Laojunshan Village, as five goats that had been missing for two days were successfully recovered. Overwhelmed with gratitude, villager Zheng Bangde repeatedly thanked Liu Peng, Chief of the Community Affairs Office, Laojunshan Agency of the Administration of Shennongjia National Park. This successful mission relied not on a traditional manual search, but on a drone typically deployed for forest patrols.
Zheng, a resident of Laojunshan Village, lost five goats while grazing on May 4. The local terrain is notoriously rugged, characterized by dense forests and deep ravines. Despite searching across the mountains for two full days, Zheng and his family found no trace of the animals. Facing a significant loss, he sought help from the Laojunshan Agency on the morning of May 6, hoping their high-altitude patrol drones could assist.
Adhering to the principle that “no concern of the people is too small,” the Agency responded immediately. While comforting the anxious villager, staff quickly analyzed the terrain and planned an aerial search route. Once cleared for flight, the drone was deployed to conduct a comprehensive sweep of the surrounding forests and shrublands. Its high-definition feed provided real-time visual data, allowing operators to monitor every detail from an unobstructed vantage point.
In less than 30 minutes, the team spotted signs of activity near a patch of shrubs on a mountainside. The drone eventually achieved a precise lock on the target in the Baiyancao mountain hollow, several kilometers from the village. “I never imagined this 'eye in the sky' would be so effective; it has been a lifesaver,” Zheng said emotionally. For his family, the recovery of the goats meant the restoration of their primary livelihood.
This is not the first time the Laojunshan Agency has utilized smart technology to serve the public. According to Liu Peng, the Agency has consistently integrated intelligent systems into resource conservation, fire prevention, and community services. Drones serve as “smart eyes” for daily patrols and act as a “warm bridge” to assist residents in times of need.
A representative of the Laojunshan Agency stated that technology must serve as a “utility for the people” to resolve their difficulties. By providing practical and heartfelt services, the Agency aims to enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security among local residents. Within Shennongjia National Park, the community now recognizes that the authorities possess both the technical expertise to protect the wilderness and a sincere commitment to public welfare. The small drone has not only flown over the mountains and rivers but has also truly won the hearts of the people.（Text by Liu Peng）
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Address：36 Chulin Road, Muyu Town, Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province 鄂ICP备18005077号-3
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Phone：0719-3453368
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