The scene opens with news reporter Ga-yu narrating about Kekexili, China's last untouched wilderness and the only remaining habitat of the Tibetan antelope. Starting in 1985, poachers hunted these antelopes for their valuable wool, causing their population to plummet from one million to less than ten thousand. In response, a volunteer civilian patrol was formed in 1993, led by retired Tibetan army officer Ritai. Despite facing poverty and receiving no government support, Ritai is devoted to protecting the endangered Tibetan antelope from extinction.