BEIJING – For Yuki, a Beijing-born naturalist, childhood walks through hutongs were treasure hunts for frogs and lizards. But in 1990s China, access to reptiles remained restricted, leaving young biology enthusiasts like him with unanswered questions about these misunderstood creatures.
The breakthrough came during overseas studies when Yuki discovered countries with progressive wildlife policies. 'Handling species I'd only seen in textbooks reshaped my understanding,' he recalls. While international colleagues took reptile ownership for granted, Yuki recognized an opportunity brewing back home.
Returning to Beijing after China's economic reforms accelerated educational modernization, Yuki launched pioneering programs combining hands-on zoology with conservation ethics. His workshops now guide Beijing residents through safe interactions with reptiles, transforming centuries-old fears into scientific curiosity.
'Education dismantles barriers better than any legislation,' Yuki tells KhabarAsia.com from his reptile habitat simulation lab, where visitors observe Chinese rat snakes hunting. His team collaborates with 18 schools to develop biology curricula emphasizing local ecosystems.
As China advances ecological civilization goals, grassroots initiatives like Yuki's demonstrate how personal passion aligns with national environmental priorities – one cautious student at a time.
