[InKunming--Kunming] A movie salon that aimed at protecting Yunnan’s wild animals was held in Kunming on November 18 by British Consulate-General Chongqing and Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Protection Bureau.  

British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC’s) latest documentary Big Cats was played at the very beginning of the salon. Various big cats such as leopards, lions and tigers were shown in the documentary. The cats’ unknown living habits were gradually discovered by scientists within the documentary. 

“To play the movie at Kunming’s cinema is to launch an appeal for protecting wild animals in Yunnan Province. ” said by an officer of British Consulate-General Chongqing. “The wild animals’ habitats became worse and worse in past years. We shall make plans to protect them.”

On the day, three wildlife protection experts were also invited for the salon. Xi Zhinong, who works as a wildlife photographer for tens of years, shared his thoughts on protecting wild animals. “Yunnan, used to be a ‘Animal Kingdom’ in the world, owned big cats in the last century. However, due to human kinds’ slaughter and trading, less and less big cats still live on the land.”

“I miss the days that our grandpas met wildlife such as big cats on Kunming’s streets. In the last century, most of citizens could meet wildlife on the city’s streets. It was normal. Right now, even in the forest, we seldom meet big cats. The fact reminds us that we must take actions to protect the wild animals.”Xi Zhinong added. 

Cecille El Beleidi, the consul general of British Consulate-General Chongqing, also expressed her opinions for the salon. She said: “China and the U.K. have cooperated for protecting wild animals and combating illegal trade on wildlife not only in governmental level but also in non-governmental level. In October, the U.K. hosted the fourth international summit on combating illegal wildlife trade. China also attended the summit. We wish to establish a strong awareness of wildlife protection worldwide.”

Until now, over 50 countries have signed 2018 Declaration on Combating Illegal Trade in Wildlife. In future, the U.K. plans to organize a new international experts’ consortium, to guide common people to protect wildlife together. 

The Big Cats movie salons were held in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chongqing and several other cities of China, too. British Embassy Beijing and International Animal Welfare Fund organized the salons in China.

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(Editors: Cathy Chen, Rachel)