A statue of Yingying the Tibetan antelope, one of the five mascots of the Beijing Olympic Games, is seen in Qinghai, June 22, 2008. [Xinhua]

At first, he is as shy as the Tibetan antelopes (or chiru) he protects. But the sight of Yingying, one of the five mascots of the Beijing Olympic Games, brings about a distinct change in him because it represents the Tibetan antelope.

"The media calls me the 'Guard of Tibetan Antelopes', but personally I prefer what my friends and associates call me: Tibetan Antelopes' Daddy," says Cega, who Sunday became the first Olympic torchbearer in Qinghai province. The 56-year-old military officer has been fighting poachers to protect the chirus in Hol Xil Nature Reserve for the past decade.

Before replying to the next question, Cega picks up the doll (Yingying). A smile breaks out on his face as he holds it tightly, and recounts his experience with the endangered species.