10/01/2006 - 08:45:21 China has temporarily closed a nature reserve that attracts scores of people each year hunting for evidence of the country’s version of an ape-like Bigfoot creature, a park official said today.
Shennongjia Nature Reserve will remain closed for at least three months to allow its natural attractions to recover from the wear and tear of visitors, said Wang Yong, an official from the park’s tourism bureau.
“During this period, we are going to do some research on how to improve the attraction of Shennongjia,” said Wang, adding there were plans for a possible airport in the area to facilitate tourist arrivals.
Located deep in the remote mountains Hubei province, the park has long rumoured to be home to the elusive creature known in Chinese as the “Yeren,” or “wild man”.
Scientists say there is no scientific evidence the creature exists, although many local people claim to have seen it.
China’s government has previously urged tourist agencies to cut down on safaris in the park to search for the creature, saying they were misleading and could harm the environment.
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