Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Ray Mears on exploring wild China for his latest TV series
The new TV series Wild China sees the outdoorsman exploring some of China’s most extraordinary places and wildlife, as Ray explains to Lyn Hughes
We don’t associate China with conservation and wildlife. How did you feel about doing it?
“Most people who film with pandas can only access them in the zoo. But I was keen that we would go to the habitat of the pandas in the wild”
I was in two minds to be honest because clearly they are one of the greatest polluters on the planet. But when I was told that there are things happening to do with conservation, I took a sort of mature view and thought, ‘Well, let me find out more.’ And I was actually really pleasantly surprised
We had a Chinese producer who works for the Chinese government, and they’ve obviously got a message to get out. But, despite that, there are ways of assessing whether things are genuine or not. And I was very impressed.
We went to the raptor rehabilitation centre in Beijing.the people working there are the same people that would be doing that work in a dedicated way here. Exactly the same sort of people, the same passion, the same motivation, the same dedication and you can’t fake that.
One episode of Wild China obviously features pandas…
They really know pandas, they’re very conscious of their symbology to do with conservation worldwide. And they do a super job with the conservation of them. I mean really good.
Most people who film with pandas can only access them in the zoo. But I was keen that we would go to the habitat of the pandas in the wild.we gained access to a reserve that you cannot normally go to and we worked with their extremely dedicated rangers who go out on a daily basis to keep tabs on the radio-collared pandas in the reserve.
We were able to track pandas and also look at them on trail cameras.you see how mobile an animal they are, which is not the impression we get when we visit a zoo.
You met incredible conservationists but did you get any feel for whether the general Chinese populace are aware of conservation?
They are! And it’s a very strange thing to witness because it’s all very new to them. they don’t really quite know what to do in a reserve and so people dress up in their Sunday best. So, it’s rather like Britain in 1971 when people went to Longleat dressed in their best clothes rather than practical ones, which is lovely.
So yes, people are interested. Of course, it’s a big population and I’m sure that’s still a small interest, but it’s a growing interest. And they take a real pride in their domestic wildlife.
I have to take my hat off to China, to be honest with you; when they decide to conserve something, they go full Monty. It’s no expense spared and they bring in the legislation to support it. So, there’s great hope.
I think a lot of people will be surprised that they’ve got elephants in China.
I was really surprised at that! And here is an example of China’s approach to elephants.
These elephants are living in an area that produces crops and is full of agricultural communities. And so the damage an elephant can do could be quite serious. But the Chinese government has said you have to let
“In Qinghai, I found tracks of wolf, bear and a common leopard, all very close to where we were accommodated”
them have them [the crops] and we will compensate you [for the loss].
To prevent people getting hurt, they have an early warning system. If the alarms fire it means elephants are coming from that direction, so people need to stay in their houses and let the elephants do their thing. That’s a breath of fresh air in terms of elephant conservation worldwide.
They’re honestly doing a great job. they’ve got an awfully long way to go, but they’re getting results because they really throw their weight, their heart and soul behind the project. That’s a real example to us. They don’t pay lip service to it.
What was the highlight of the series for you?
It was going in search of snow leopard in Qinghai which is going to be the first national park in China (Sanjiangyuan National Park) and is an amazing place.
As soon as we got there, I was out looking and I found tracks of wolf, bear and a common leopard, all very close to where we were accommodated. And then I started scanning the hills because you never know when you’re going to bump into one. You’ve got to look.
And the next day against all the odds, we were lucky that we found two snow leopards and it was just amazing. I’ve never seen better camouflage in any sort of mammal. If they stop moving and you take your eyes off them, they just become a rock. Just astonishing.
Did you get much chance to use your bushcraft skills?
Very much. I tracked pandas and I think the local rangers were really surprised by that, as I think they were expecting just a TV presenter. When they realised I was tracking, we got invited back to eat with them and out came a little bottle of local hooch and we were accepted, which was special.
And, of course with the snow leopards, I was tracking every single day. I think that’s the first time, as far as I’m aware, that a presenter has presented with snow leopards. Normally it’s all done with cameras and voiceover.
What most surprised you about China?
The staggering diversity of the terrain. I enjoyed working in the Himalayas and I think Shangri-la was really lovely.the people were very friendly. One of my fondest memories is that people will put a ghetto blaster on the streets and play music and then people just gather around and start dancing just for the fun of it. I recorded a little bit of the people dancing in the square in Shangri-la. It was just so happy and joyful.
Would I recommend China for a keen naturalist or traveller? If you are used to less-developed facilities then I would, because China is fascinating. And the moment you go out into the rural districts you step back in time several hundred years.
The people are welcoming and friendly and there are a lot of wonderful, genuine experiences for the independent-minded traveller.