[Explanation] Recently, a video of a "giraffe" appearing on the road in Guangzhou in a truck has caused heated discussions among netizens.
Subsequently, the Guangzhou Zoo responded that the giraffes that citizens saw were actually taxidermy.
On March 3, the reporter came to the Guangzhou Zoo and saw that the giraffe specimen has been placed in the popular science corridor, accompanying people as a function of popular science education.
[Explanation] It is understood that this giraffe is named "Hailang" and has lived in Guangzhou Zoo for 21 years.
Generations of caregivers have grown up with it and forged a deep bond.
In October 2021, the 23-year-old "Hairang" passed away peacefully due to aging, and the zoo immediately decided to make it into a specimen to continue its spirit.
[Concurrent] Xu Jianlin, a science teacher of the Guangzhou Zoo Science Education Department
I went to contact the teacher who made the specimen, and when I sent him to the giraffe museum, I was actually quite sad to see the situation at the scene.
Because "Arang" came to our Guangzhou Zoo in 2000, he has been with us for 21 years, (until) until he left.
Just living with us as a "colleague" at the Guangzhou Zoo, so its departure is a pity for all of us.
But we are also very happy. In 2022, it will become a specimen and will return to our Guangzhou Zoo family. Join hands with us to bring the spirit of "Alang" and the life of "Alang" through another form. continue.
[Explanation] In the zoo, the giraffe "Hailang" is affectionately called "Alang", and it has another famous name "Hero Father".
Because "Hairang" gave birth to 13 giraffe cubs during the zoo, which made a great contribution to the reproduction of the population.
Chen Weichao, a conservationist who gets along with giraffes day and night, told reporters that "Hailang" has a majestic figure and a height of about 5.5 meters. Among the giraffes, he is a "tall" handsome guy.
In recent years, in order to improve the quality of the ethnic group, the children of "Hailang" have also been exchanged one after another.
[Concurrent] Chen Weichao, a giraffe conservationist at Guangzhou Zoo
Its descendants are distributed in major zoos in China because of an exchange process.
Now (Guangzhou Zoo) there are five existing ones. They are its sons and daughters, and they live in our Guangzhou Zoo.
Its sons and daughters have been exchanged to some large zoos in Shanghai, Guiyang and so on.
This one called "Haileen" is also a descendant of "Arang", and soon it will also appear as a mother.
[Explanation] The reporter saw in the giraffe feeding area of the zoo that an endless stream of tourists came here to take photos with the naive giraffes and compete to feed them.
In the zoo's popular science exhibition hall, the "Hailang" specimens are lifelike and displayed to tourists in a state of resting at ease.
Xu Jianlin said that making "Hailang" into a specimen is not only a commemoration of it but also a continuation of life, hoping to let more people know about the giraffe species.
[Concurrent] Xu Jianlin, a science teacher of the Guangzhou Zoo Science Education Department
One of the meanings of the specimen is also here, that is, everything in it can be viewed at close range, and it is very intuitive.
Like the living animals in our zoo, we will guide you to observe some of their living environments, some actions, and then some behaviors, a display of natural behavior.
But as a specimen, we may lead more to natural science, such as some structures of its body and some of its characteristics, so that we can better observe it.
Maybe the life of animals is limited, but if it is made as a specimen, it can extend the limited life infinitely, and then invest in science education, and then more people can see them and understand their stories, Get to know this species.
Reporter He Junjie and Zou Siyao report from Guangzhou
Responsible editor: [Zhang Xi]