Yang Lin clearly hadn't expected his influence to be this great.
If the Ningnan City Forestry Bureau was the direct superior of the Xihong Zoo, then the Dragon Country Forestry and Grassland Administration was the direct superior of all zoos nationwide.
Everything related to wild animals in the entire Dragon Country fell under their purview.
Seeing that the Forestry and Grassland Administration had intervened, Yang Lin found it difficult to refuse. Moreover, the Administration had presented him with an offer he couldn't refuse.
Allocating pandas to the Xihong Zoo.
Upon hearing this, Yang Lin agreed immediately.
Although the Xihong Zoo already had one panda, with the zoo's expanding scale, one panda was far from enough.
To acquire more pandas, they could only apply to the Dragon Country Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center.
Only after the application was approved could they qualify to adopt a panda.
As the direct superior of the Dragon Country Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, if the Dragon Country Forestry and Grassland Administration made a request, it wouldn't be long before the Xihong Zoo could directly adopt from the center.
"It seems this trip to Weinan is indeed unavoidable. Fine, I'll just consider it earning some extra money, and they're providing food and accommodation anyway."
Having made up his mind, Yang Lin quickly made some simple arrangements for the zoo's operations.
Then, he packed his luggage and headed for the airport.
After transferring from a plane to a high-speed train, he arrived in Weinan five hours later.
As soon as he alighted from the high-speed train, a commercial vehicle dispatched by the Weinan Forestry Bureau was already waiting.
Upon seeing Yang Lin, the forestry bureau staff member responsible for reception showed a look of excitement, as if they had seen a savior.
"Director Yang, we've finally been waiting for you."
"With you here, we're saved."
Hearing the staff member's words, Yang Lin showed a hint of confusion.
"Has the situation become that serious?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the forestry bureau staff member began to pour out their woes.
"Of course, it's serious. We're receiving over eight hundred complaint calls a day, all from nearby villages and towns."
"Besides complaints, we have to process a large number of compensation claims daily."
"You have no idea, in just this past week, we've already paid out over a million."
"If we can't come up with a solution to the wild boar problem, the entire forestry bureau leadership will be replaced next year."
As they spoke, the staff member didn't forget to invite Yang Lin into the car.
While the vehicle was en route to the Weinan Forestry Bureau, Yang Lin gained a further understanding of the predicament they were in.
Due to its proximity to the Qinling Mountains, Weinan City had abundant wild animal resources.
Coupled with the wildlife protection policies implemented in recent years, this had directly led to a surge in the wild boar population.
Almost every day, herds of wild boars would enter human villages and towns, destroying farmland and even attacking people.
Although the authorities had issued a "pig hunting order," hunters, lacking firearms, were of little help against these wild boars.
Most hunters could only resort to using hunting dogs to corner them.
The ultimate result was that not only were a few wild boars hunted, but their purebred hunting dogs, trained at great expense, were also killed by the wild boars.
Upon hearing this, Yang Lin's brows furrowed.
He clearly hadn't anticipated that the situation had escalated to such an extent.
As he was contemplating solutions, they arrived at the Weinan Forestry Bureau building.
Before he could even get out of the car, a group of forestry bureau leaders warmly welcomed them.
Unenthusiastic about such a reception, Yang Lin could only go through the motions.
However, as he was politely exchanging pleasantries with everyone, a low-level cadre from the forestry bureau ran over in a panic.
"Director Ma, something has happened. Many wild animals from Zhangji Town have been driven down the mountain by wild boars."
"It's chaos over there now. I heard a panda was injured by a wild boar."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's expression turned grim.
In the next moment, all eyes turned to Yang Lin.
"Director Yang, we are truly sorry. We originally planned to host you properly."
"But now, the situation is urgent, and it seems we'll have to trouble you to come with us."
Yang Lin merely smiled at this.
"It's fine. Isn't that why I'm here? To solve this problem. I'll go and see what's going on."
"Alright, let's get in the cars quickly. If we're late, I'm afraid the situation will worsen."
As he spoke, the forestry bureau staff members got into their respective vehicles.
Accompanied by them, Yang Lin was quickly brought to the scene of the incident.
It was a small town, with the majestic Qinling Mountains behind it.
However, this once scenic tourist town was now in utter disarray.
Most townspeople had their doors tightly shut, while others were being chased by various wild animals that had emerged from the Qinling Mountains.
Black bears, takins, and golden leopards, animals rarely seen descending the mountain, were now entering the crowds.
Of course, besides these, the most numerous were the wild boars, charging like small tanks.
Compared to the wild boars encountered in Diannan previously, the wild boars in the Qinling Mountains were clearly even more robust.
Individual wild boars likely weighed over 200 kilograms.
Yang Lin personally witnessed a large wild boar smash a large pit into the front of a small car and then, as if nothing had happened, continue to rampage through the town.
Just as Yang Lin was preparing to intervene, a nimble figure appeared not far from him.
Upon closer inspection, Yang Lin realized that this figure vaguely resembled a tiger, but was clearly much smaller.
It looked more like a magnified cat.
Before he could figure out what this creature was, this big cat directly charged at a wild boar that was two to three times its size.
To a normal person, this confrontation seemed somewhat mismatched.
After all, even a tiger would retreat from a rampaging wild boar, let alone a big cat.
However, just as Yang Lin thought so, this big cat, with its agile movements, toyed with the wild boar, making it spin around.
From time to time, it would leave deep scratches on the wild boar's back.
In less than two minutes, the wild boar was exhausted and fell to the ground.
Seizing this opportunity, the big cat immediately bit down on the wild boar's neck, attempting to deliver a finishing blow.
However, just as its fangs opened, the wild boar, which had been lying on the ground, suddenly erupted with a burst of strength and clamped down on the big cat's neck.
Yang Lin heard a scream. The once majestic big cat was now half-dead.
It was only at this moment that Yang Lin finally recognized the identity of the big cat.
A golden cat, and in Dragon Country, it had another name—Biao.
ps: I'm taking a short leave today for New Year's Eve. I'll continue with extra updates tomorrow.
Tomorrow is the start of the new year. Wishing all my dear readers a Happy New Year and a fresh start in the new year.
May all unhappiness and bad luck end today!