Caring for Lion Cubs connects different people

An illustration in the book Lion Cub, authored by geologist-turned writer Liu Hu. [Photo provided to China Plus]

In the book, a mother lion, in an attempt to save her baby from being killed by a new lion king, abandons her cub in a small village in Africa.

"This is a true story from my colleague in Africa," Liu Hu told us. "Most mother lions would eventually give up their cubs and choose to return to their original home since lions usually hunt in groups. But what's interesting is that this mother left her cubs in a human village. In fact, she was seeking help from mankind."

The book follows the story of the abandoned cub and how it brings a young Chinese girl, a Chinese writer and local African women together in their nurturing efforts.

"There are a host of Chinese citizens who have migrated to Africa and my book also depicts their lives, " said Liu. "A key message that Lion Cub is expected to convey is that China is showing an increasing level of openness, and that now Chinese people live and work everywhere in the world."

An illustration in the book Lion Cub, authored by geologist-turned writer Liu Hu. [Photo provided to China Plus]

Liu's book also promotes travelling and exchange of information among people of different countries, suggesting this has contributed to bringing new things to China, including boosting the production of maize, tomatoes and grapes, which were previously not major crops in the country.

Meanwhile, the Belt and Road construction has generated new development opportunities for people from all over the world.

"I also wrote this book to mark these changes and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China," said the author.

Thanks to his career, Liu, who is also a geologist, has had many opportunities to encounter wildlife in different places. This has helped him in writing his five animal novels published by the China Children's Press and Publishing Group.

Lion Cub is his first book dedicated to African wildlife, while the other four are based on the wildlife of Qinghai-Tibet plateau or northwest China.

"My books encourage young readers to join wildlife protection campaigns and say no to any trade in wildlife or the use of animals as entertainment," added Liu.

A girl reader asks a question to Lion Cub author Liu Hu during a book promoting engagement. [Photo provided to China Plus]