1 . Our two-year investigation into caged (关在笼中) tigers in America sent us through 32 US states—with some truly shocking experiences. But as the deadline neared, I still needed a powerful and hopeful image.

When we began our reporting in 2017—Sharon, writing; me taking photos; and our son, NickRuggia, filming—more tigers likely lived in cages in the US than remained in the wild. The number ranged from 5,000 to 10,000, but without strict government oversight, no one knew for sure.

Roadside zoos that allowed tourists to take pictures of young tigers were the main cause of what’s been called a US tiger crisis (危机). Caged cats often ended up in the illegal wildlife trade. Young tigers, parted from their mothers at birth, were fed poorly and touched by hundreds of people. When they grew too big and dangerous to pet at around 12 weeks, young tigers were put on show, or simply disappeared.

While we documented the unpleasant part of this industry, we also wanted to show the good life these impressive animals could have. With two weeks left before my deadline, I headed to the Wild Animal Sanctuary near Denver, where well-cared cats walked freely in their habitat.

There I met Clay, Daniel, and Enzo, three of 39 tigers rescued from an animal park in Oklahoma. These nearly grown cats raced beside our car, which I’d seen only in the wild. It was a hot July day and soon two of the cats jumped into a pool to cool off. The third rested beside them on the ground. I crossed the road to take a picture of them. Then quietly, I came up close, trying not to disturb (打扰) them. I had the shot.

4 . We usually divide a year into four seasons. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, there are five seasons — spring, summer, late summer, fall, and winter. Each of the five has many features which guide us to change our habits to keep the balance between our body and the external environment.

Winter in TCM

The ancient Chinese believed that winter is the Yin “阴” season in nature.     1     So, winter is the time of year to reflect on health, save strength and regain energy, preparing ourselves for the start of new life in the spring. Different aspects of our lives like exercise, diet and emotions can influence our health and, therefore, our well-being in winter.

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In TCM theory, winter is a season to feed ourselves both spiritually and physically. Activities in the season have a turn inwards. For example, we can do more writing, reading and other soul-nourishing (滋养灵魂的) activities. Although energetic exercise should be avoided, it’s important to keep our body healthy with gentle exercise, especially outdoor activities, in which we can get fresh air and sunlight. In addition, we should also go to bed earlier to save more energy.     3    

Foods for winter

The principle of harmony between what we eat and the season is based on hundreds of years of experience in TCM. It suggests that we embrace locally-grown and seasonable foods, which is the way nature intends us to eat. During the winter, there are many foods beneficial to us.     4     — pumpkins, potatoes, root vegetables, winter greens, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, and pears. Besides, hot soup, whole grains and roasted nuts also offer nourishment to feed the body in cold winter months. But always remember, moderation in all things is important.

Moods in winter

According to TCM theory, stress, depression and unresolved anger can also weaken our immune system, allowing external factors to affect our body in winter.     5     Meditation (冥想) and breathing techniques are particularly helpful, especially in relieving stress. TCM also offers a variety of treatments such as massage (按摩) and herbal formulas to manage our moods.

The giant panda is unique to China.     1     (cover) the areas of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu Provinces, Giant Panda National Park protects the pandas’ natural living space. This giant national park     2     (include) sixty seven panda reserves (保护区), which are home     3     about 1,340 wild giant pandas as well as many other endangered animals, such as Sichuan golden monkeys and snow leopards.

Among the panda reserves in the national park. we     4     (high) recommend Wolong Nature Reserve and Ya’an Bifengxia Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre, because of     5     (they) large numbers of pandas, beautiful natural environment,     6     being easy to reach from Chengdu. Right now, there are more than 100 pandas in the Wolong base and more than 60 at Bifengxia. Wolong Nature Reserve is the only place     7     you can see pandas at night.

Giant panda volunteer programs in the panda bases give you     8     unique experience with pandas and you will have a chance     9     (make) special cakes for them, etc. Contact us for details about these panda programs.

Giant Panda National Park is     10     (suit) for animal lovers, especially panda lovers, You can visit it all year round. Wolong is about a 2-hour drive from Chengdu; Bifengxia is about a 3-hour drive from Chengdu.

6 . Nzou is one of the quiet stars of the Rhino& Elephant Conservation(保护) Programme at Imire in Zimbabwe(津巴布韦). The oldest elephant in the protected area, Nzou is around 55 years old, and has been there since she was two years old.

It is said that elephants never forget, but this special animal seems to have forgotten she is an elephant，and now thinks of herself as one of the buffaloes(水牛).

Nzou was brought to the area in the 1970s, when she lost her parents. She was encouraged to stay with the elephants. But she was happy with the buffaloes and has lived with them ever since. They could understand each other. Their relationship is amazing but not easy. Buffalo leaders are usually male(雄性的). Over the 40+ years that Nzou has been the leader, she has killed 14 young male buffalo who challenged her.

Nzou has never lost her elephant's instinct(本能) for loyalty(忠诚). One day, one of her keepers was attacked by a young male buffalo. Nzou stood over him as he waited for help to arrive, protecting him against more attacks from the buffalo.

Nzou no longer communicates with the other elephants at Imire perhaps she has forgotten how and no longer understands what they are saying. She is happy with the buffalo, and as long as they don't step out of line, she is happy and pleased to be their leader.

9 . Scalloped hammerhead sharks (扇贝锤头鲨) hold their breath to keep their bodies warm while they’re diving into cold water, a study has found.

Researchers from the University of Hawaii knew that scalloped hammerhead sharks do deep dives at night. They assumed that the sharks dove to hunt, since they had found deep-water squid (乌贼) in the stomachs of some sharks. However, hammerheads are cold-blooded, which means their temperature is controlled by their environment rather than their bodies. Getting very cold affects how well the animals’ brains and muscles can work. With temperatures in the deep ocean as low as 41°F(about 5°C), the scientists were confused as to how the sharks could do these deep dives and come back unharmed. To find out more, scientist Mark Royer and his team caught three hammerhead sharks. They attached instruments to the sharks’ fins (鳍) in order to take the temperature of the water and record the sharks’ speed and movements. The instruments showed that the sharks dove to about 2, 600 feet below the surface. However, the animals’ body temperature didn’t drop until they started to return to the surface of the water. The scientists think they might be able to explain why.

Like most fish, sharks get their oxygen from water, which washes through gills (鳃) on the side of their heads. Inside the gills, lots of blood vessels absorb oxygen from the water. Because blood temperature affects body temperature, the gills are the area in which the shark is most likely to lose heat. Royer said that if the deep-diving sharks didn’t get cold, they must have closed their gills. In other words, they were holding their breath as they dove, just like humans do when they swim underwater.

Video footage of a shark swimming more than 3, 000 feet deep with closed gills seems to prove the theory. Other scientists want to study the question more closely, however, because fish’s bodies aren’t usually adapted to hold their breath. Royer called the finding a “complete surprise”.