China explores 'forest of wild beasts'

Chinese scientists will explore a primeval forest in Hubei province, the origin of many stories related to forest people.

Yesterday the management board of Shen Nong Nature Reserve, Hubei Province announced that 38 experts from many universities and research institutes will enter the Shen Nong National Forest from July 8, Xinhua News Agency reported. Their expedition will last until August. The main purpose of the team is to survey the fauna and flora of the Spirit of the Farmer's Forest.

Two golden monkeys in the Shen Nong Gia forest. This is the species
Monkeys are at great risk of extinction. (Photo: People's Daily)

Located in the middle of the remote mountains in Hubei Province, the Spirit Forest is recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve since 1990. This is the UNESCO title awarded to the nature reserves with fauna , unique plants and rich variety.

For decades people in the area around the forest rumored stories of the existence of wild people (forest people). More than 400 people have confirmed they have seen wild people in Shen Nong Forest for the past 100 years. For example, some people say that female marches break into some villages in the forest to sleep with men. In 1983, Zhejiang Daily newspaper reported that a farmer was sleeping in a shack in the forest, a large creature shaped like a woman rushed into a shack and intended to perform sexual intercourse with him. The creature has dark blue eyes.

No witness provides reliable evidence to illustrate their story. Even so, more than 100 scientists still decided to establish the Association of Hubei Field Searchers in November 2009.