Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is in the spotlight once again, but not as an actress. This time, Zhang Ziyi is hosting an English TV program titled The Story of Wildlife, which aims to draw attention to wild animals facing extinction.

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi got close to two orangutans at a conservation area in Sabah, Malaysia last December while shooting a program to promote wildlife protection.

Zhang shot the program last December at a conservation area in Sabah, a region in Malaysia, Xiaoxiang Morning Post reported.

The trailer of the program shows Zhang visiting a tropical rainforest and introducing some species of the nearly-extinct wildlife.

Although the insects in the rainforest are potentially harmful, Zhang insisted going into the rainforest herself to give the audience a closer look at the animals.

After spending three days with a pair of orphaned orangutans, Zhang experienced their deteriorating living environment firsthand. This primate, which acts much like humans, is often captured and regarded as a pet. Some wildlife experts predict that they will die out in ten years if no effective measures are taken.

As a host, Zhang interviewed the conservator as well as local inhabitants to bring well-rounded information to the audience.

Zhang donated her talent to the program since it focuses on promoting wildlife concerns.

Zhang tried to speak English in the one-hour program so people around the world could better understand it.

Many TV stations, including CNN, MTV Asia, and the U.S.-based Hallmark subscription channel, have rushed to purchase the broadcasting rights to the program.

The program's premiere show time has not yet been determined.

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi got close to two orangutans at a conservation area in Sabah, Malaysia last December while shooting a program to promote wildlife protection.

(CRI March 29, 2008)