On November 4,Guangming Dailypublished a full page ofLove and Death of Red-crowned Crane and Three Generations of a Family, a report on the moving stories of alumni Xu Xiujuan and Xu Zhuo, who protected the natural ecology.

Xu Xiujuan is an outstanding alumna and the first martyr in China who sacrificed her life to protect environment. In 1987, 23-year-old Xu Xiujuan was drowned in search of a missing red-crowned crane from Yancheng Nature Reserve in Jiangsu province.

Xu Tielin, the father of Xu Xiujuan, was a guardian of red-crowned cranes. Inspired by the spirit of Xu Xiujuan, her brother Xu Jianfeng gave up the work in the city and returned to Zhalong Nature Reserve. Unfortunately, on April 19, 2014, due to fatigue over the days, Xu Jianfeng had a car accident on his way to look after squabs, died at the age of 47 years.

The sacrifice of Xu Xiujuan and Xiu Jianfeng did not change the will of Xu family to protect the natural environment. Xu Zhuo, the third generation of Xu family, has now become a member of staff in Zhalong Nature Reserve. She is a graduate of Wildlife and Nature Reserve Management in NEFU. Upon graduation, she turned down a postgraduate recommendation and volunteered to work in Zhalong Nature Reserve. “I want to guard this wetland and red-crowned cranes, like my elder generations did.” Xu Zhuo said.

The story of Xu family and red-crowned crane touched many readers. After the report was published, many readers realized that protecting the natural environment should not just count on one person or one family and everyone should make their own contribution to it like Xu Family.