At the Longquan Protection Center of the Baishanzu National Park in Longquan, Zhejiang province, rare wildlife such as black muntjacs and Cabot's tragopans has become regulars on the digital screen, thanks to an innovative digital system.

Launched in late 2022, a digital twin system was deployed by the Longquan Protection Center to address the challenges of wide monitoring areas, high labor costs, and delayed responses in traditional management of national parks.

With support from research teams, this system integrates satellite remote sensing technology, internet of things devices, and drones to create a digital twin of the Longquan area of the Baishanzu National Park, enabling comprehensive monitoring and management.

A black muntjac is captured on camera. [Photo/Tide News]

Fang Wanli, a staff member at the Longquan Protection Center, oversees the system's daily operations. With just a few clicks, he can access data on air and water quality, as well as wildlife activity.

"Look, the pangolin family is out again," Fang said while monitoring the screen, "We discovered them two years ago with infrared cameras and have since installed fixed cameras to observe their habitat and the surrounding environment."

The system also fosters public engagement through a mini-program that offers virtual reality (VR) tours of the park's pristine forests and waterfalls. With over 113 VR scenes and 200,000 visits, it encourages public participation and ecological awareness.