Are ugly animals not worth protecting?

The giant panda, with its chubby figure and innocent bamboo-chewing face, easily wins hearts at the zoo. We naturally gravitate toward animals with appealing looks.

But Boju Zhang, a long-time environmental advocate, has found that species considered “ugly” are often left behind when it comes to conservation funding and attention. Yet these creatures—despite not being cute or popular—are just as vital to the balance of our ecosystems. Boju Zhang is Director General of Friends of Nature and a committed monthly donor.He’s been with the organization for over a decade, and never saw himself as a “suffering hero.”Instead, he sees public interest work as something that reshaped how he views the world—and as a way to actively create impact and value. Over the years, Zhang has led efforts in environmental public interest litigation, legislative advocacy, and empowering citizen-led green actions. Beyond his role at Friends of Nature, he co-founded the China Zero Waste Alliance and has served as a youth advisor to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).