The eternal circle of life

[Photo by Jiang Wenyao/provided to China Daily]

Every day, Dilai and his eldest son, Dovton, inspect the flock while on horseback. Dilai's nephew, Qimti Cering, who comes along with his wife to help, watches any newborns that have been abandoned by their mothers.

Things can be cruel here. A lamb struggles to its feet and scrambles to its mother, only for her to give an angry bleat and dodge her newborn. The lamb approaches again, before being violently kicked by its irritated mother.

The ewe snorts and runs away, leaving her newborn in fear and trembling. It is the fourth time the lamb has been rejected by its mother.

Coldness and hunger paralyze the ewes' mothering instincts. Many first time mothers are not able to take care of their newborns, so shepherds are needed to help the abandoned lambs.

The shepherds hold or bind the front legs of the mothers so that the lambs can suckle. Mothers that continually reject their newborns have them tied to their legs.