"After decades of efforts, the number of these animals is no longer small. Reproduction is no longer a problem, but the wild environment will still need years to fully recover in terms of areas such as the food chain, as well as the ecosystem of plants and companion animals," said Zhou Yongkang, a researcher with the reserve's administration.

The facility was established in 1982, and upgraded to a national reserve in 1986 as understanding of the urgency and awareness of protecting the alligators rose. In the reserve, there are seven national key protected plant species — including trees such as cypresses and ginkgos — and 30 national key protected animal species, including Chinese alligators, clouded leopards and musk deer.

He Shaowei, the administration's director, said that releasing alligators into the wild is an important measure to revitalize the wild population.

He explained that in order to ensure the effectiveness of the reintroduction program, experts undertake a range of preparatory measures, including surveys of resources, restoration of the ecosystem and the selection of mating pairs.

Field surveys can assess the population and habitat of the alligators in the wild, scientifically determine the best release locations and the number to be released.

Meanwhile, ecosystem restoration measures have seen the introduction of aquatic plants and the release of fish fry in a targeted manner at each release site, thus nurturing the food chain for Chinese alligators and creating a more suitable wild habitat.

Moreover, the scientific selection of pairs involves using DNA analysis to select healthy, genetically diverse and gender-balanced alligators for release.

In addition, researchers implant identification microchips in all the alligators that are released and some of them are also fitted with satellite tracking devices.

Later, a combination of manual and smart methods is used for tracking, monitoring and research into methods of protection.