Xie Fengyan, a retired associate professor at Genhe's Party school who specializes in Ewenki history, said that reindeer are integral to the Ewenki's way of life. Historically, the Ewenki in Olguya domesticated the animal for transport. Over time, reindeer became essential and the Ewenki regarded them as family members, passing this bond down through generations.

"However, if the younger generation doesn't maintain this connection, the culture risks fading. The animal's population faces challenges like inbreeding among reindeer, which affects their quality. In addition, wild animals like lynxes, bears and wolves often attack reindeer herds," she said.

"Unlike cities like Beijing, where technology and resources abound, they often lack basic amenities like electricity and phone signals in the mountains," she added.