Retired school principal saves tiny zoo from extinction

New responsibilities

As attention to the zoo has grown, so have questions over whether such a small facility can properly care for its animals. It is now home to dozens of animals including a lion, bears, tigers, leopards, vultures and monkeys as well as rabbits and ducks.

Feng acknowledges the challenge. "The zoo is too small. There is only so much I can do," he said.

Unlike large zoos, Kaili Zoo has no professional veterinary team or management system. Much of Feng's animal care relies on years of observation and experience. During feeding, he watches closely for any changes in the animals' behavior or condition.

But for protected species, responsibility extends beyond daily care. The zoo must submit regular reports to forestry authorities, and trained veterinarians must be called in when animals are ill.

"I'm not perfect. I worry that one day I might make a mistake and be overwhelmed by the attention brought by online popularity," Feng said. "A small mistake could lead to serious consequences, which is why I am always cautious."

However, the attention has also brought positive changes. With tickets priced at 20 yuan, the zoo now receives 100 to 200 visitors on weekdays and more on weekends, providing a stable source of revenue.

The animals are now better fed, with carnivores receiving chicken or beef daily and herbivores receiving additional food from visitors.

Kaili's tourism authorities have begun promoting the zoo as one of the city's tourism attractions.

"We have arranged dedicated tourism routes and bus services connecting the zoo with the city center and transportation hubs," said Yang Xiaokang from the local tourism department. "In the future, we hope educational programs for students can also be introduced here."

Despite the newfound popularity, Feng has no plans for large-scale commercial expansion. He said he does not want the zoo to become overly commercialized.

His Douyin account now has more than 140,000 followers and has generated about 16,000 yuan in revenue. He said he has never withdrawn the money.

"This is not income that belongs to me. It belongs to everyone who has worked here together," he said, adding that he hopes to use it to reward volunteers and others who have helped promote the zoo.

As visitor numbers have stabilized, Feng has returned to his quiet routine that kept the zoo going long before it became an internet sensation.

"I am extremely happy with the number of visitors we have now. A year ago, I could never have imagined this," he said. "Now I can say there is not much left to worry about."