animals

In Northeast China, a Rogue Tiger Terrorizes an Unsuspecting Village

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

Local authorities have urged residents to stay indoors while they hunt for the fugitive feline, which has already attacked several villagers.

Li Xin

China Shocked by Mysterious Wave of Pet Poisoning Cases

Over 40 dogs have died during an apparent poisoning spree in the southern Guangdong province, and more cases are still emerging.

Fan Yiying

Gridlocked: When Jellyfish Brought a China Power Plant to Its Knees

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

The unexpected surge of jellyfish overwhelmed cooling systems, forcing workers to work around the clock to clear blockages and avert shutdowns — a crisis affecting coastal infrastructure worldwide.

Jiang Xinyi

Luo Yahan

These Cranes Were Symbols of Fidelity. Now, Science Disagrees.

New genetic analysis reveals complex mating behaviors in black-necked cranes, challenging folklore that portrays them as lifelong, inseparable partners.

Her Dog Was Poisoned. Now She’s Fighting to Reform Pet Laws in China.

After her dog was poisoned, Li Yihan’s pursuit of justice has become a landmark legal battle, one that could bring significant changes to China’s approach to pet protection laws.

Ding Rui

Rough Ride: A Woman’s Journey to Save Her Stallion

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

After her horse suffered a fractured leg, a Beijing mother spent six months and hundreds of thousands of yuan to get it back on its feet.

Oh! Youth (36Kr)

China Moves to Tackle a Growing Menace: Rampaging Boars

Wily, aggressive, and weighing up to 200 kilos, wild boars have become a serious problem in many parts of rural China. Now, authorities are calling in the hunters.

The Bird-Whistling Guardian of Shanghai’s First World Heritage Site

Retired bird catcher Jin Weiguo has helped collect data on countless species of migratory birds as part of the protection team at the Dongtan nature reserve.

The Paper

Chinese University Launches ‘Panda Studies’ Program

The college aims to train experts who can contribute to China’s drive to save the much-loved but vulnerable species.

Ye Zhanhang

Creator of Beloved Cartoon Cat Abandoned His Own Pet, Fans Discover

Artist Zhang Ping is in hot water after revealing that he abandoned the pet kitten that inspired his iconic character, Luo Xiaohei.

Ding Xiaoyan

Haitang, the Lost Chinese Whale, Finally Swims to Freedom

After a five-month rescue operation, the short-finned pilot whale has finally recovered from his injuries and been released back into the ocean.

Sixth Tone

Freezers Full of Dead Tigers Found Inside Chinese Zoo  

Fuyang Wildlife Park is accused of keeping animals in horrifying conditions, leading to dozens of unnatural deaths.

He Qitong

Li Dongxu

Can China Protect Its Whales?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Researcher Chen Mo confirmed the existence of China’s only known whale pod in 2018. Now he’s trying to protect them.

Cao Shuyun

Chinese Scientists Discover New Kind of Dinosaur Egg

The strange fossils are unlike anything previously discovered, and suggest that dinosaurs may have been even more diverse than we realized.

The Ups and Downs of Owning Pet Birds in Urban China

While birds offer an affordable pet choice, their vulnerability to illness and the lack of specialized veterinary care, particularly beyond major urban centers, present significant hurdles.

China’s First Artificially Bred Pallas’s Cat Dies in Qinghai Park

In China, these elusive animals, which mainly inhabit the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, are at serious risk due to decades of hunting. Researchers say they are the most difficult feline to breed in the world.

How a Chinese Cat With a Doleful Mug Became an Online Star

Meet Guangdang, whose insatiable appetite and captivating face endeared her to millions of cat lovers around the world.

Price Hikes for Pet Sitters in China During Spring Festival 

China’s growing number of pet owners are having to spend more to make sure their pets are well taken care of this holiday period.

China’s Top Court Takes Aim at Owners of Aggressive Dogs 

Dog owners can be held liable even in cases where their dogs do not make contact with injured parties.

China’s Vet Shortage, by the Numbers

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Pet ownership is booming. But where are all the vets?