YICHUN, March 21 (Xinhua) — Wu Zhonghua, 62 years old, has been responsible for managing and patrolling a forest farm of over 3,600 mu (240 hectares) for 32 years at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. Her daily work includes popularizing regulations, removing fire hazards, curbing deforestation, preventing forest pests and also guarding against poaching and illegal collection of wild animals and plants.
Born in 1964 at a workshop of a forest farm where her father was working, Wu became a ranger at Guanshan National Nature Reserve in 1994 and was rehired again here after her retirement in 2014. “I’ve never left this forest my whole life. I patrolled on the mountain even when I was pregnant and with my two little children after they grew up,” said Wu. Once being cowardly and fearful of dangerous animals and illegal loggers, Wu never gave up and gradually became brave. She has braved harsh natural conditions and fulfilled her responsibilities.
Now, besides working, she raises chickens, cultivates vegetable, and also practices Taijiquan and ribbon dance to enrich life in her leisure time. “The forest is another home of mine and I am in love with it, I will work as long as possible.” said Wu Zhonghua.
This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua patrolling at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua patrolling with a firewood knife left by her father at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua patrolling at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua washing her face at a creek at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua greeting goats on her way home after patrolling at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua resting at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows belongings brought by Wu Zhonghua during her patrolling at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2021 shows Wu Zhonghua interacting with wild macaques at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Photo by He Jianlai/Xinhua)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua harvesting vegetable near her home at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua raising chickens near her home at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua collecting eggs near her home at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)This photo taken on March 5, 2026 shows Wu Zhonghua (1st R) practicing ribbon dance at a forest farm at the Guanshan National Nature Reserve in Yifeng County of east China’s Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)■
