I have a wildlife zoo

The milk-tea wild boar fortunately wasn't seriously injured, just a scrape on its knee, but it would have to stay in the zoo until all the preparation work was done.

In the following days, Fang Ye dispatched employees to the villages around Linhai City to inquire about wild boar sightings and planned to set up infrared cameras in areas where wild boars had been seen. He also visited Director Du, the head of the city's forestry bureau, to discuss wild boar control and compensation matters.

Director Du, hearing Fang Ye speak of the ecological value of wild boars, nodded frequently in agreement, expressing strong recognition. However, when it came to compensating the farmers, his expression turned troubled. Although willing to do Fang Ye this favor, the wild boar wasn't a key protected species, and there was no budget for such subsidies.

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But Fang Ye suggested that Linhai Zoo could cover the costs. After all, a portion of the zoo's profits was dedicated to research and the protection of animals, and human-animal conflict was an important issue to address.

As for control measures, surrounding farmlands with electric fences was undoubtedly the most effective. Of course, these wouldn't be the kind of privately installed electric fences, but high-voltage pulse fences like those used at the zoo. Although the voltage was high, the current was small, so they wouldn't harm people or animals but would only give a painful shock upon contact.

The cost of these fences was quite high, so Fang Ye had looked into research papers on wild boar control. There were methods combining flashing lights and loudspeakers that had proven effective and were fairly low-cost. The funds for the equipment could come from the zoo, with the government distributing them to the farmers, and the zoo staff providing guidance on use.

Hopefully, this would achieve a satisfying level of protection.

Director Du readily agreed this time! It was political merit delivered to his doorstep, and it wouldn't cost a thing.

...

Two days later, Director Du called him again.

Fang Ye was wondering if it was something to do with wild boars as he answered the call, "Hello, Director Du? What brings you to me today is..."

Unexpectedly, Director Du's voice sounded quite excited and a bit secretive, "Hehe, Fang Ye, today there's some big news! It's very much related to your zoo!"

Fang Ye scratched his head and replied with a wry smile, "I can't guess what it might be?"

Director Du didn't beat around the bush, saying directly, "Didn't your zoo apply for giant pandas before? This time, national forestry bureau leaders, including a deputy director from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and other experts, will be coming to inspect your zoo!"

Fang Ye's eyes widened, and he stood up abruptly from his chair, letting out a swear, "Damn!"

He had submitted the initial application materials a long time ago and had heard no response, so he thought the whole thing had gone cold.

Now that the leaders were coming for an inspection, it was as if his resume had made it through and he was moving on to the job interview phase.

Although it wasn't a sure thing yet, it was halfway to success! No, more like a certainty; if the deputy director of the Panda Base was coming, it was as if the vice-chairman was conducting the interview. Otherwise, why not just send an expert? It showed they took Linhai Zoo seriously!

Lan Li was startled at the desk across from him, looking over with a confused expression.

Fang Ye waved his hand to indicate it was nothing, realizing he had displayed poor manners, he hurriedly apologized, "Ah, my apologies, Director Du, I was just a bit too excited just now!"

Director Du laughed, "Hehe, I'm quite excited too! If your zoo really manages to get the giant pandas, that would be incredible. Our entire Linhai City would be proud of your zoo!"

He then seriously instructed, "In the upcoming period, your zoo needs to treat this as a matter of top priority and ensure a good reception for the visiting experts, all in the hopes of getting the giant pandas to settle in Linhai!"

"Hey, sure, I'll definitely live up to the leadership's expectations!"

After hanging up the phone, Fang Ye felt so exhilarated he felt like he could fly, and he swung his fist in the air!

Actually, he was quite confident when he applied for the pandas, since the environment of Linhai Zoo really was better than most other zoos in the country, no boasting needed.

But the environment is just one part of assessing a zoo's level, of course, it's the most fundamental hardware, and there are many software aspects too, like various enrichments, background disinfection and hygiene, daily feed nutritional matching, treatment when animals are sick or injured, animal behavioral training, animal breeding and rearing, and emergency response plans.

The unseen is equally important.

In these aspects, Linhai Zoo indeed lacked accumulation, appearing rather weak.

Previously, preparing the application materials and documents had taken over a month, and it's been nearly another month since the application.

Within a month after the application, you would receive a response whether it's an approval or a rejection!

Having not received a reply for such a long time, Fang Ye thought that maybe Linhai Zoo's rapid growth and lack of experience, coupled with a rather weak software aspect in the application materials, had led to a failure to pass; he had almost given up hope. But now, the situation had taken a surprising turn.

He was so excited he jumped around like Mario, laughing out loud without a care, "Hahahaha!"

Lan Li had never seen him this happy before, and curiously asked, "Boss, what's got you so happy?"

Fang Ye said with a beaming smile, "Our zoo is about to get a giant panda!"

"Ah!?"

Upon hearing this, Lan Li's mouth fell open in an 'O', and her eyes bulged in disbelief!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Then, she exclaimed excitedly, "A giant panda, really a giant panda! I super love giant pandas! Wow, I'm going to post on Moments right away!"

"Hey hey, don't rush." Fang Ye hurriedly persuaded her, explaining, "Actually, the leaders are coming to inspect our zoo to see if we can provide good conditions for the giant pandas, how well we're doing with other work, and to decide whether or not to approve us. It's not confirmed yet.

But I think there's a seventy to eighty percent chance because the Deputy Director of the Panda Base is coming over."

If Lan Li posted on Moments that Linhai Zoo was about to welcome a giant panda, and since she had quite a number of friends and relatives in Linhai, such major news wouldn't take long to spread throughout Linhai. If the application ended up not being approved, that would turn into a huge joke.

"I see." Upon hearing his words, Lan Li calmed down a bit and then sweetly smiled again, "I think it will definitely work out!"

Holding her cheeks, she wore a dreamily silly smile, "Giant pandas, hehe, giant pandas…"

On Blue Planet, giant pandas were even more treasured than they were on Earth!

If Linhai Zoo really did get a giant panda, just during the initial exhibition period, the entrance would definitely be trampled flat by the swarming crowds of visitors!

Fang Ye sent a message in the team leaders' group chat, "I've got an announcement, but don't spread the word, okay? We applied for giant pandas, and I'm guessing that some leaders and experts will visit our zoo in the next few days!"

Everyone's reaction was consistent, shock mixed with ecstasy! They all promised not to tell anyone.