Chongqing - March 3, 2025, marks the 12th World Wildlife Day, a global occasion to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. In Chongqing’s Small Three Gorges, one man has spent over two decades feeding wild macaques, fostering coexistence and conservation in the region.
As dawn breaks over the Yangtze River, Gong Qingbing steps onto a small boat at the Wushan County, Chongqing wharf. It’s Tuesday, his designated day for a familiar ritual—feeding the wild macaques of the Small Three Gorges. For over two decades, Gong has been the guardian of these monkeys, ensuring that their calls echo through the mountains.
On February 19, 2025, in the Small Three Gorges Scenic Area, Chongqing Wushan County, Gong Qingbing blows his whistle from the boat to signal the macaques. (Photo/Yin Shiyu)
With practiced ease, Gong signals the boatman, and the vessel glides into the misty waters. As the river narrows, the breathtaking scenery of the Small Three Gorges unfolds. Near the famous hanging coffins site, he reaches for a whistle hanging from the cabin wall, steps onto the deck, and blows a series of sharp notes. Within moments, the dense foliage stirs, and shadows dart between the trees—macaques are racing towards the feeding point.
“Come on, little ones!” Gong calls out, tossing corn onto the rocks. The monkeys scramble forward, stuffing their cheeks, their lively antics bringing a smile to his face.
Gong has been the “caretaker” of these macaques for over two decades, a role born out of necessity rather than mere goodwill.
Conflicts between humans and monkeys were frequent in the past. Deforestation, driven by villagers’ need for farmland and firewood, shrank the monkeys’ habitat, causing their numbers to dwindle to fewer than 100. To reverse this decline, Wushan County initiated large-scale reforestation projects and even introduced monkeys from other regions to boost the population. However, as their numbers grew, food shortages drove the macaques to raid crops, frustrating local farmers.
To ease tensions, authorities established designated feeding stations along the Small Three Gorges in the 1980s. Gong follows a strict schedule, delivering food every Tuesday to four feeding sites. Each site receives two 132-pound bags of corn per session, totaling over 1058 pounds at a cost of approximately 1,000 yuan per trip.
“This routine is essential,” Gong explains. “If I’m late, they go hungry.”
Gong is not the first monkey caretaker—he inherited the role in 2003 from a retired predecessor. Initially, he took the job to supplement his income while working as a boatman. But over the years, his relationship with the monkeys deepened.
“They’re just like pets,” he says. “The more time you spend with them, the stronger the bond.”
On February 19, 2025, at the third monkey feeding site in the Small Three Gorges Scenic Area, Chongqing Wushan County, Gong Qingbing scatters food for the macaques. (Photo/Yin Shiyu)
His admiration for their intelligence and playful nature keeps him engaged. Despite watching them for years, he still takes photos whenever he notices something new. He recognizes individual monkeys—a dominant “monkey king” who commands respect, a few with old battle scars from leadership fights, and even a limping one that lost a contest for supremacy.
“The injured ones? They all fought to be the alpha,” he chuckles. “The ‘monkey king’ has changed several times over the years.”
Though naturally wary of humans, these macaques recognize Gong. At the sound of his whistle and the sight of his familiar uniform, they eagerly gather, shortening the typical safe distance they maintain from people.
“I think they know me,” he says. “The boat, the whistle, my clothes—they understand.”
Tuesdays have become the highlight of his week. “Especially in winter, when wild fruits are scarce, I worry about them going hungry,” he says. Even when working his regular boatman job, he checks on the feeding sites, occasionally adding extra food if needed.
Today, the monkey population in the Small Three Gorges has grown to nearly 5,000. Their presence has transformed them into a beloved attraction for tourists.
“People love them,” Gong says. “The moment the tour guide announces ‘monkeys ahead,’ even the sleepiest passengers perk up, reaching for their phones.”
To enhance visitors’ experience without disturbing the animals, the feeding stations are strategically placed in open areas near the water. One site was even relocated to provide a clearer view.
On February 19, 2025, at a monkey feeding site in the Small Three Gorges Scenic Area, Chongqing Wushan County, macaques wait for Gong Qingbing to feed them. (Photo/Yin Shiyu)
As Gong scatters the last bag of corn, he watches the macaques feast before setting off on his return journey. Blowing his whistle at each feeding station, he calls out once more, ensuring no monkey is left behind.
Looking at the lush greenery, the jade-colored river, and the pristine environment, he reflects, “The Small Three Gorges are more beautiful now. The forests are thriving, the water is clean—people care about nature more than ever.”
(Li Yuanyuan, Yin Shiyu, reporters from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)
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