Celebrating National Ecology Day in Futian
To mark China’s second National Ecology Day on August 15, Shenzhen’s Futian District hosted an event named ‘Vibrant Life in Beautiful Futian: Wild City Residents – A Shenzhen Story Fans. Expedition in Futian 2024. This initiative aimed to foster public engagement in urban wildlife conservation by allowing citizens to observe the daily activities of the city’s flourishing wildlife.
A Glimpse into Shenzhen’s Urban Wildlife
Participants were treated to scenes of a Bryde’s whale encountering a massive ship in coastal waters, Chinese pond herons and common moorhens continuing the natural cycle of life in a park’s lotus pond, and fish swimming freely while gulls and egrets soared above in Shenzhen Bay. These captivating experiences underscore the rich biodiversity present in Shenzhen’s urban landscape.
A Unique Documentary Experience
The event showcased the documentary series “Wild City Residents: A Shenzhen Story,” a collaboration between the Futian District Convergence Media and Cybersecurity Information Center and a well-known documentary producer from Shenzhen. The series offers viewers a closer look at the reproduction and life stories of over 20,000 wild animal species across more than 1,000 parks in Shenzhen, highlighting the intricate relationship between humans and nature.
Shenzhen’s Green Development Commitment
Shenzhen has woven green development into the fabric of its urban growth, reflecting its commitment to ecological sustainability. This commitment is exemplified by the harmonious coexistence of over 20,000 species, including more than 140 under special state protection, in the city’s bays, mountains, lakes, and parks.
The Kunpeng Trial No. 1 Bridge
A standout project is the recently completed Meilin Mountain-Yinhu Mountain Ecological Corridor, also known as the Kunpeng Trial No. 1 Bridge. This bridge not only connects the greenways between Yinhu Mountain and Meilin Mountain but also serves as a crucial corridor for wildlife migration. The bridge is part of Shenzhen’s “Mountain-Sea Vistas” initiative and the “Five Parks Link” project, which connects several key parks in the area.
Enhanced Ecosystem
Data from the Urban Administration and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau of Futian District show that wildlife cameras have recorded over 240 crossings of the corridor bridge by wild animals, including leopard cats and wild boars. Additionally, species such as red-bellied tree squirrels and maritime striped squirrels, long separated by the geography of Bijia Mountain and Lianhua Mountain, have finally been able to reunite.
As Shenzhen’s ecological environment continues to improve, Futian District has become a wintering site for black-faced spoonbills and has witnessed the return of other rare and protected species, including the Small Indian civet, leopard cat, Eurasian otter, Chinese spot-billed duck, yellow-breasted bunting, and Malayan night heron.
