“Almost all of the biggest cities used to be paradise for the wildlife.” - Professor Wang Fang, Fudan University
As a response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, most have decided to quarantine at home and avoid any social interactions. But at the same time, some have decided to Disobey the stay-at-home order, and appear on the city streets.
We started to see more and more of them.
Not only did they make international headlines, they also became the consolation that we have during the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 outbreak.
They are the wild animals.
Not long ago, China Newsweek had a column on the endangered animals that reappeared during the time of the coronavirus. It was both touching and sad to see.
[Video on Wechat Public Account]
Their frequent reappearance made the netizens Exclaim over the beauty of nature, but it also made us reflect on the living conditions of the wildlife. The skyscrapers that we built to better our cities, the forests that we chopped down to make more lands, and the animal habitats that we destroyed to improve our lives…It’s not how the world was supposed to be.
Actually, these “urban dwellers” have always been our “neighbors”. Mr. Wang Fang, whom WLOL just interviewed not long had a whole speech with regard to this topic.
[Video on Wechat Public Account]
His team found the “Home of Racoon Dogs” project. It is a project that addresses education, field recovery, and everyone’s lives. Such a project carries great significance in terms of finding the balance between our needs and the needs of the wild animals. People always talk about biodiversity, but they don’t necessarily understand what it means. Biodiversity is the essence of nature, and the reward of life.
In this article, birds, aquatic animals, and land animals that we often see in our cities are going to be introduced one by one. Look closely and see if you recognize any of them.
Living in the Woods
Chirps that linger in the woods, feathers that have fallen on the streets, poems that the ancients used to recite, and, of course, the crap that’s left on the top of your car, are the traces that birds have left for us.
As people get stuck in traffic, birds fly past in a hurry with their wings whirring;
When house prices are skyrocketing in the cities, birds build their own garden-view homes on the trees.
But in the last few years, we can barely see them.
Is it because our cities have become way too crowded?
Let’s take a look at the “singers” of our cities. Hopefully, on one peaceful morning, as the sun shines and mild breezes blow, this pleasant melody can linger on our streets, and linger in our hearts.
#Light-Vented Bulbul
“How tough can life be? Why are the birds in the woods all white-headed?”
—— White-headed Man
By Wei Ye (Song dynasty)
In Chinese, it is called “white-headed old man”. It is known for the white patch behind its eyes, which is the sign of adulthood.It’s mainly distributed in central and southern China, and it’s one of the “three treasures of the city”, as some would call it. Since they live in the shrubs, they usually feed on pests.
They are lively and bold, and not too scared of humans. But they tend to be overprotective of their territories and children.You wouldn’t want to mess with their nests if you’re smart!If light-vented bulbuls are standing still, it’s likely that they are about to get their karaoke on! So, next time when you spot a light-vented bulbul, might as well stand still for a moment, and appreciate the beautiful sound of nature.
#Cuckoo
Among these 50 types, Indian cuckoos are the ones we are most familiar with. They are not as noticeable since they hide in the woods, but their loud and penetrating chirps are definitely noticeable.
In Chinese, they are also known as zǐ guī, as they often chirp towards the north in an extremely depressing tone as if they are waiting for their children to return. Subsequently, they’ve become the symbol of sadness and grief.
There’s another Chinese saying called “Cuckoos cry till they bleed”. This is based on the illusion that Indian cuckoos may create with their red beak and red tongue.
Cuckoos are unique for another reason. One third of them are actually brood parasites, which means that they lay eggs in the nests of other species, who later raise their young. Reed warblers are cuckoos’ go-to “caretakers”. Therefore, most of the time, reed warblers raise the “wrong kids”. If you still don’t understand, brood parasitism is almost like abandoning your kids at the doorstep of a random house, and expecting the people inside to do the child rearing for you.
The buildings around us, especially ones with glass curtain walls, pose a serious threat to birds. Since the sunlight reflected by the glass wall may lead to temporary visual obstacles, tens of thousands of birds have crashed and died. Moreover, deforestation is another risk factor. Birds need somewhere comfy and safe for their nests, but now their options are so limited that they might not even find a home.
Someday, when we gaze up and strain to find
The blue color of the sky,
Will the birds be able to survive?
Will we be able to survive?
