Lifetime Affection for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys 

Safeguarding the Wonder of the World 

-- A Narration about Iron-willed Veteran Huang Tianpeng

On February 29, 2024, when the breath of Spring was already felt down the mountains, the Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys in the Shennongjia National Park, situated at an altitude of more than 2,200m, was still a world of ice and snow, with the temperature dropping to -6℃.

Our car was diverted from the main road onto a gravel one, and the rolling snow tires formed two tracks. Shortly afterward, the car was pulled over to avoid disturbing the golden snub-nosed monkeys.

Carrying the weighty photographic and camera equipment, we got off the car and staggered toward the Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys. Being chilled to the marrow, we, who rarely journeyed through mountain roads all year round, had to move ahead cautiously with such valuable equipment. When we came across a creek, a well-ventilated pavilion and a triangular shack propped up on site leaped to our eyes. Du Hua, an official from the Shennongjia National Park, told us this is the Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys and the shack at the base serves as a shelter from the cold and wind, as well as a place to rest.

The movements on the hillside across the creek and the occasional sounds of branch snapping attracted our attention. We followed the sounds and could see golden snub-nosed monkeys swinging among the branches. Carrying the equipment, we eagerly tiptoed toward them.

In the beginning, we shot and photographed at a distance using a telephoto lens to avoid spooking them. We noticed from the lens that almost all golden snub-nosed monkeys were nibbling at the bark of trees. Just like humans gnawing sugar cranes, golden snub-nose monkeys skillfully removed the withered bark from branches or trunks and merely nibbled at the inner bark clinging to the trunks. They ate with enormous gusto as if they didn't care about what we were carrying. Being aware that they were not so scared of us, we tried to approach them. More than three hours lapsed in the blink of an eye after the focused shooting and photographing. Our colleague Zhang Can trod into an ice hole and soaked feet in the icy water, suffering from intolerable pain. Fortunately, we shot and photographed almost all the materials required, thus we returned to the shack to dry our wet shoes and socks.

"We should extend gratitude to these fellows for observing golden snub-nosed monkeys, particularly Huang Tianpeng. Without them, we would not be able to see golden snub-nosed monkeys, and the research into golden snub-nosed monkeys in China would be delayed for a decade or two." Du Hua's statement aroused our curiosity.

There are so many coincidences in the world that are difficult to explain in words. We simply couldn't imagine that we were here to interview Huang Tianpeng again to renew his legendary life.

In 2021, our Editorial Department had assisted the Hubei Department of Veterans Affairs in editing and producing the album of Hubei Model - Most Beautiful Retired Serviceman, which includes Huang Tianpeng, the representative of veterans from the Shennongjia Forestry District. I asked Du Hua, "Is Huang Tianpeng you just mentioned the most beautiful veteran in Hubei Province in 2021?" He affirmed, "Yes."

Du Hua told us about Huang Tianpeng's story while walking:

Huang Tianpeng was born in 1982 in Zigui County, Yichang City, Hubei Province. Since childhood, he has showcased his affection for the PLA and dreamt of starting an army career to safeguard the country and the people's property. In 2000, he joined the PLA as he wished and was assigned to work as a telegraph operator in a department of the Beijing Military Region. Three years later, Huang Tianpeng was demobilized from the army. He returned to the Shennongjia Forestry District, where he worked as a forest ranger. After another two years, the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve launched the Dalongtan project for field research into golden snub-nosed monkeys. Showcasing his military characters of strong constitution, hardship endurance, and dedication, Huang Tianpeng was recruited into the project team. Since then, he has engaged in the conservation and research into golden snub-nosed monkeys, holding fast to the Shennongjia Forestry District and keeping company with monkeys. Time flies and Huang Tianpeng has been working in the Shennongjia Forestry District for two decades. Shennongjia is a mysterious, unique, and rare land. It boasts rich biodiversity and magnificent primitive forests and natural landscapes. From the approval of the establishment of the Shennongjia Forestry District in 1970 and that of the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in 1986 to the ratification of the pilot national park system in Shennongjia, China's conservation level is continuously raised and conservation measures are constantly upgraded, with increasingly deepening conservation significance. The conservation of and research into the flagship species, i.e., golden snub-nosed monkeys, has always been a top priority for the Shennongjia National Park.

No matter how the conservation level of the Shennongjia National Park changes, Huang Tianpeng's mission remains the same. What have changed are the fleeting time, the grown-up population of monkeys, and the deepened relationship between the team and the monkeys. Moreover, China has successively made new achievements in the research into golden snub-nosed monkeys. From December 2003, when Huang Tianpeng was discharged from active military service and joined in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, he has been sticking to deep mountains and forests. Particularly since the official launch of the Dalongtan project for field research into golden snub-nosed monkeys, he has become the daily companion of golden snub-nosed monkeys, writing the legend of a veteran "Monkey King".

We asked Du Hua why we should thank Huang Tianpeng for seeing golden snub-nosed monkeys. He answered excitedly that the work undertaken by Huang Tianpeng and other team members is to carry out the research into the behavior, reproduction, heredity, prevention and cure of diseases, population monitoring, and other aspects related to golden snub-nosed monkeys, thereby providing scientific data for the conservation of biodiversity.

They knew little about golden snub-nosed monkeys at the beginning of work. It is an indisputable fact that there are golden snub-nosed monkeys in Shennongjia. However, Huang Tianpeng and other team members had to find out where golden snub-nosed monkeys live, where to find them, and how to correctly grasp the situation of golden snub-nosed monkeys by exploring forests and populations. To find the monkeys, Huang Tianpeng and other team members trekked through mountain forests for a long time. Without a sturdy constitution, no one can withstand these weighty equipment and traveling bags, dozens of kilometers of trip a day, as well as vipers, beasts, and fatal wasps. Initially, the monkeys were very sensitive to humans, leaping for miles if they were startled. Regardless of the severe weather and the mountain mists, they had to follow the footprints of the monkeys, observe them using binoculars, and record the living habits of each golden snub-nosed monkey family. Sometimes they stayed in the mountains for a few days, nibbling at cold steamed buns and drinking mountain spring water. When running out of food supplies, they would pick wild fruits to allay their hunger.

We had arrived at the staff living quarter of the Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys while Du Hua was sharing the story. Huang Tianpeng, who stood in front of the canteen, guided us to a room with a stove. We chatted with Huang Tianpeng when the canteen staff cooked noodles for us. He picked up Du Hua's narration, saying that bitterness and fatigue were insignificant, but the most painful and unbearable thing was to follow the footprints of monkeys to carry out research. At first, Huang Tianpeng and other team members stayed in the mountains for half a month and walked 20 or 30 kilometers a day, ending up with no monkeys found. He backed down at one time and told his thoughts to the team leader. His team leader asked Huang Tianpeng, "After three years in the army and rigorous training, do you feel more challenged now than before?" Hearing these words, Huang Tianpeng strengthened his conviction.

Looking to the past, Huang Tianpeng has experienced a mix of sorrow and joy. He vividly remembers the damp and cold rundown houses where the forestry team lived, the numerous falls and injuries, and most importantly, the joy of discovering the golden snub-nosed monkeys for the first time. He also cherishes the deep bond he formed with a monkey named "Dadan", witnessing its aging, along with many breakthroughs made in their interactions and research with these monkeys.

"The group of monkeys you see today is different from others. Like us, they study us as we study them. We coexist with them, building mutual trust, as a result of long-term adaptation efforts. Essentially wild, they eat roots and bark, maintaining their ways of survival. But they recognize us as friendly and non-threatening, so they enjoy being with us." said Huang Tianpeng. Although it was exciting to find this group of monkeys, how to establish a close relationship with them and make them emotionally stable posed another challenge for Huang Tianpeng and his colleagues. They tried many methods to approach the monkeys - from 100 to 50 meters, then to just a few meters. Eventually, the monkeys accepted them, lowered their guard, and became relatively stable. The trust resolved a major challenge in studying the golden snub-nosed monkeys. Instead of following them across the mountains, researchers could observe and study them up close every day, even collecting their urine samples for research purposes.

According to Huang Tianpeng, initially, the group numbered just over forty monkeys, but now, it has grown to more than a hundred in eight large families. While they may seem alike to most, Huang Tianpeng sees each one with distinct characteristics - fur, facial features, even their gaze and temperament - he knows them all well. Whether big or small, the monkeys warmly greeted him and trusted him deeply, and playful young monkeys even jumped onto his shoulders. He resembles the Monkey King returning to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits.

When asked if he ever considered working elsewhere, Huang Tianpeng responded straightforwardly, "Why would I leave? I'm doing just fine here." Despite its majestic name, Dalongtan is, after all, a place with deep mountains and forests. It's impossible to dedicate a lifetime here without inner determination and pursuit. At 42, Huang Tianpeng still has 18 years until retirement. Over these years, he and his colleagues have traversed every forest where the Shennongjia golden snub-nosed monkeys resided, conducting comprehensive surveys on their population, number, and distribution. They have traveled over 20,000 kilometers in total covering over 400 square kilometers, providing the scientific basis for effective protection of Shennongjia golden snub-nosed monkeys. Huang Tianpeng has also participated in over 20 research projects, co-authored 4 monographs, and published multiple papers. His research achievements received the special prize (twice) and the first prize (once) of the Scientific and Technological Progress Award of Shennongjia Forestry District, and the second prize (once) of the Science and Technology Progress Award of Hubei Province. One of his accomplishments was recognized as a major scientific research achievement in Hubei Province.

Research team including Huang Tianpeng(third from right)of the Scientific Research Institute of Shennongjia National Park 

Today, Dalongtan has transcended its role as a research base for golden snub-nosed monkeys, emerging as a cradle of researchers. Since the base was established, wildlife research teams, like the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, come here to study. This has transformed it into a treasured place for research, where many achievements have been made with numerous scientific challenges overcome. According to incomplete statistics, the Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys at the Scientific Research Institute of Shennongjia National Park has trained over 40 doctoral students and more than 100 master's students. They come from institutions including the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Wuhan University. Experts and scholars from around the globe are also attracted by its reputation, coming here to study and unravel the mysteries of nature.

Huang Tianpeng, a second-generation forester in Shennongjia, inherited a deep love for the area from his father who was among the first to develop the area. He carries deeply in mind his father's dedication to work, attitude toward life, and earnest teachings. Born and raised here, Huang Tianpeng deeply loves his hometown, with a profound passion for the mountains and valleys here running through his veins. When he first returned to Shennongjia, his job was to clean up the garbage in the scenic area, remind tourists of being careful, and help the tourists who got lost or in trouble. He must face harsh conditions, living at an altitude of over 2,200 meters above sea level year-round and enduring constant fog and cold dampness. Later, Huang Tianpeng was assigned to the equally arduous golden snub-nosed monkey base construction project, yet he overcame all obstacles and persisted. He vowed to uphold his father's will, becoming a dedicated worker for Shennongjia National Park, safeguarding the monkeys in the mountains.

Former colleagues who once stood alongside Huang Tianpeng have gradually left the base, retiring or moving to other departments, yet he remains steadfast in his belief. He is well aware of the importance of his work. Despite the apparent ordinariness of this mountain forest, lacking spectacular peaks and rocks or works of renowned figures, it is nestled amidst verdant mountains and serene waters, harboring a group of mountain elves - rare national treasures. This base holds extraordinary significance. It is necessary for humanity's understanding of nature, for the country, and for scientific advancement. Above all, it stands as a testament to humanity's quest for knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

All roads that lead to success require effort, perseverance, and determination. Ordinary individuals achieve greatness by elevating mundane tasks to the utmost, dedicating themselves selflessly, and forgetting their desires for the greater good.

Like all other staff of Shennongjia National Park, Huang Tianpeng feels most guilty about lack of affection and companionship for his spouse and child. He has stationed himself in this deep mountain valley for years and can only leave once a month, though for work, he often sacrifices these precious opportunities.

Though Huang Tianpeng spends the most time with these monkeys and feels closest to them, he believes he is simply doing what he ought to. The establishment and development of the Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys cannot be separated from the strong leadership of the Administration of Shennongjia National Park, the wise decisions of national and provincial scientific departments, and the collective care and effort of all staff members. Huang Tianpeng said, "Every staff member at Shennongjia National Park is a guardian of the golden snub-nosed monkeys. The Dalongtan Field Research Base for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys belongs not only to the Shennongjia National Park and China but also to the world."

Huang Tianpeng's words explained why he felt good to be here. As warm egg noodles were served, we remembered their experiences of eating cold steamed buns and drinking cold mountain spring water in the mountains and forests, which filled us with deep respect. Having spending a morning filming in the icy wilderness, we were famished and devoured our food eagerly, quickly regaining warmth and satisfaction. Now, sitting at the newspaper office desk and struggling to write about Huang Tianpeng's remarkable life, we hope this humble piece can inspire all of us to appreciate their accomplishments and learn from these upstanding members of the Shennongjia National Park. With high respect! (Written by He Sai, Bai Ning, Du Hua; Photo by Zhang Can)