Deep in the mountains of Kaili City, Guizhou Province, a tiny 3,500-square-meter zoo—dubbed “the humblest zoo in history”—has captured the nation’s heart. At its center is Feng Yuanyong, a 70-year-old retired school principal, whose selfless dedicationto over 20 animal species(including protected tigers, lions, and bears) has inspired countless people.
From Retired Teacher to Animal Caregiver
Feng moved to Kaili in 2016with his wife to help his brother manage the struggling zoo. With no prior experience in animal care, he taught himself everything—from designing enclosures to crafting feeding schedules. Over nearly a decade, he has become an expert in hands-on animal care, ensuring each creature is treated with compassion.
A Zoo on the Brink—And a Man Who Refused to Give Up
Originally, the zoo relied on nearby attractions for visitors. But when those closed and mountain roads worsened, guests vanished. Despite this, Feng kept ticket prices at just 20 yuan (US$3)for over a decade—and often let struggling visitors pay less or nothing at all.
The zoo has lost 80,000 yuan (US$11,000) annually, forcing Feng to:
- Cut staff from five to three
- Use his own pension to buy animal food
- Manually maintain facilities
- Even carve a mountain pathto improve access
“Even if I don’t eat, I won’t let the animals starve,”he told reporters.
Public Support Floods In—But Feng Asks for Less
Moved by his story, netizens shared the zoo’s QR code for donations. Soon, contributions poured in—ranging from 1 yuan to over 10,000 yuan (US$1,400)—covering months of expenses.
Feng, however, politely declined further donations, saying the funds were enough to sustain the zoo. He vowed to use every penny responsiblyfor the animals.
From Obscurity to a Symbol of Hope
Once nearly empty, the zoo now sees more daily visitors than in the previous four months combined. Many travel great distances just to meet Feng and witness his love for the animals.
Future Plans:
Feng hopes to turn the zoo into an educational hub, teaching children about wildlife conservation and empathy for all living beings.
A Legacy of Compassion
“The zoo is small, but the animals are well cared for,”one commenter wrote. Another added, “You can tell the director truly loves them.”
Though modest in size and facilities, this zoo has become a powerful symbol of one man’s unwavering commitment to protecting life—no matter the cost.
