By Tim Binnall
A Chinese national park recently posted a peculiar advertisement seeking people to portray a legendary Bigfoot-like creature, known as a Yeren. The odd job is reportedly the centerpiece of a new attraction at the Shennongjia National Park wherein visitors can interact with individuals resembling the mysterious "wild men" long said to reside in the area. According to legend, the Yeren stand approximately six feet tall, are covered in reddish fur, and sport a face with the features of both a human and ape. Those hired for the role, which pays around $70 a day, would live at the park throughout July and August while, in a bit of artistic license likely in the interest of modesty and practicality, clad in a caveman costume.
Forbidden from speaking to guests, the faux Yeren would be permitted to communicate via howls and encouraged to accept food from patrons. Although the park would provide accident insurance to the would-be "wild men," it indicated that the method actors would be responsible for their shelter and sustenance. "You may bring your own tent and gather daily necessities independently (except for protected animals and plants)," the ad states, "and you should run if confronting unknown creatures," such as an actual Yeren confused by the sudden presence of the cryptid cosplayers.
While the ad calls for "wild men," the park stresses anyone can apply for the position provided they can withstand what sounds like a rather rigorous two-month-long performance immersed in the forest. Since being posted online, the ad has gained considerable attention in China with over 10,000 people expressing interest in the unusual gig. Unfortunately for them, being hired for the job may be nearly as difficult as tracking down the Yeren itself as the park plans to hire only 16 individuals to populate the attraction.