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Shenzhen is a fast-growing city in southern China. It is known for technology and tall buildings. Now, the city is trying something new. It wants to help wild animals move safely. Every year, millions of creatures travel long distances. They look for food, mates, or safe places. For thousands of years, they used the same paths. But modern cities like Shenzhen now stand in their way. These animals need human help to travel through the busy city.
Many animals travel during the dark night. They use the moon and stars to find their way. Bright city lights can confuse them completely. Birds, insects, and sea turtles often get lost. Some birds fly into lit buildings and get hurt. Sea turtles born on beaches crawl toward lights instead of the sea.
In Shenzhen, a group called the Shenzhen Ecological Monitoring Center watches these problems. They see how lights hurt migrating animals. An expert said, "The city's bright lights can interfere with the normal migratory behavior of birds." Light pollution makes birds fly in circles. They fly until they are too tired to continue. Shenzhen wants to become a more "bird-friendly" city. So, the government started a new plan. During spring and autumn, some areas will dim their lights. Officials ask building managers to turn off lights that are not needed. They want to dim lights on upper floors and signs. This "lights-out" action happens only during peak migration weeks. This helps animals without causing too much trouble for people.
Lights are not the only problem. Highways and roads cut through animal habitats. Animals trying to cross busy roads often get hit by cars. This is dangerous for both animals and people. To fix this, Shenzhen is creating "ecological corridors." These are special paths for wildlife. They include green bridges over roads and tunnels under them. The goal is to connect patches of forest so animals can move freely.
One major project is in the city's Yantian District. Workers are building a large, green bridge over a highway. The bridge will be covered with soil, grass, and trees. It will look like a natural part of the forest. This will help animals feel safe enough to cross from one side. The bridge helps mammals like leopard cats and small Indian civets. It will also help birds, reptiles, and insects. A city planner said, "Constructing these passages is about reconnecting fragmented habitats." "We are trying to give space back to nature within the city."