Ou Jingfang takes care of the Siberian tigers in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Changchun, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ou Jingfang spent nearly two months living with 17 Siberian tigers day and night in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Changchun, Jilin province, and he enjoyed the experience.

Because of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the province, the garden was locked down on March 11. To care for the animals he helped breed, Ou, 55, asked to stay in the garden rather than go home.

Ou Jingfang takes care of the Siberian tigers in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Changchun, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Every morning he got up early to clean the animals' living quarters and prepare their food.

During the spare time, Ou liked communicating with the big cats in his own words.

"I gave each of them a name, and when I called, they would walk towards me," he said. "When I talked closely with them, I could also observe their health condition."

Ou Jingfang cleans the living quarters of Siberian tigers in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Changchun, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The city gradually lifted its lockdown and restored residents' lives to normal in late April. On May 5, the garden reopened to the public and Ou could go home after work.

"The tigers are just like my own children and I hope I will be the best caregiver for them," he said.

A Siberian tiger in the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Changchun, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]