Thirty-two rescued wild animals have been released back into their natural habitats in Zhaoqing, South China's Guangdong Province. This brings the total number of wild animals released by the city in 2026 to 225.
The latest release took place in the core area of Lanke Mountain. The animals included 12 belonging to nationally protected species, such as leopard cats and Chinese hwamei. Each was released into a habitat suitable for its species.
(Photo: Zhaoqing Wildlife Rescue Center for Endangered Species)
Wild animals are released in Lanke Mountain in Zhaoqing City, South China's Guangdong Province. (Photo: Converged Media Center of Zhaoqing City)
The animals arrived at the Zhaoqing Wildlife Rescue Center for Endangered Species under various circumstances, said Su Liuxian, the center's deputy director. Some had been found after becoming separated from their parents, while others were brought in by members of the public after sustaining injuries. Still others had been rescued during law enforcement operations.
One leopard cat cub weighed just over 200 grams and was close to death when it arrived at the center. After five months of care, its weight had increased to more than 1.5 kilograms.
The leopard cat is weak when it arrives at the center (left) but has grown much stronger after five months of care (right). (Photo: Zhaoqing Forestry Bureau)
When the cage door opened, the cub darted into the forest. "It didn't look back, but we were very relieved," Su said.
(Photo: Converged Media Center of Zhaoqing City)
The center said it aims to return animals to the wild as soon as they are capable of surviving independently. Recovered adult animals are released promptly, while young animals undergo a longer rehabilitation process with minimal human contact. This helps them retain their natural instincts and develop the skills needed to find food on their own.
A masked palm civet leaves its cage and returns to the wild. (Photo: Converged Media Center of Zhaoqing City)
(Photo: Converged Media Center of Zhaoqing City)
The Zhaoqing Forestry Bureau urged the public to contact forestry authorities or wildlife rescue centers if they encounter injured or trapped wild animals, rather than trying to handle them themselves.
It also cautioned against releasing non-native species or animals that have not undergone health checks, as doing so could threaten local ecosystems or spread disease.
Author | Liu Xiaodi
