Wild about nature: Shennongjia's new observers tackle wildlife and legendary yeren

The Shennongjia scenic area in Hubei province has made headlines with a unique job posting for "Nature Observers," featuring a standout criterion that caught the attention of netizens — good physical condition, capable of outrunning yeren, also known as Chinese Bigfoot, a legendary apelike creature purported to inhabit remote mountain regions like Shennongjia.

The recruitment drive drew over 300 online applicants, resulting in the selection of three individuals, boasting a remarkable acceptance rate of over 100 to 1. On July 5, the three observers officially commenced their three-month employment at Shennongjia, each earning a monthly salary of 6,000 yuan ($827).

Tasked with observing and aiding the wildlife within the reserve, including giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, black bears, and even stargazing, applicants were expected to excel in various areas. They needed to be physically fit, capable of running swiftly when encountering wild animals, maintaining composure while capturing wildlife, and showcasing the scenic beauty. The post also required applicants to have a strong sense of sharing on the internet, able to navigate online memes, and interact with netizens.

Staff at Shennongjia emphasized that the three stood out from the pool of applicants due to their well-rounded skills, particularly excelling in video production, editing, and strong communication abilities.

Among the three is 21-year-old Luo Lisheng from Henan province, a junior student at Northeast Forestry University in Heilongjiang province. His passion for wildlife observation led him to secure a position as a nature observer at Shennongjia, where he spends his days capturing and studying various animal species, including his recent joy of spotting the nationally protected golden pheasant.

Another observer, 27-year-old Wang Huang from Yichang, Hubei, an amateur photographer, shared his enchantment with the fairytale-like surroundings of Shennongjia. Immersed in his work for the past 10 days, Wang expressed no sense of hardship, describing his role as akin to a heavenly experience in the misty mountains and tranquil atmosphere of Shennongjia.

Currently, the three primarily engage in photography, video production, and editing. They will soon be appointed the task of stargazing, said a staff member with Shennongjia.

Amid curiosity from netizens about the likelihood of encountering the legendary yeren in the scenic area, officials emphasized that encountering yeren requires serendipity, highlighting instead the abundant precious bird species for wildlife lovers.