Photo: sichuan.scol.com.cn
A snow leopard and a leopard, two of China’s nationwide first-class protected wild animals, had been just lately noticed within the Yading Nature Reserve in Daocheng county, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
To monitor the biodiversity of the Yading Nature Reserve, a community of infrared cameras has been put in all through the realm. This has enabled the seize of photos of the 2 uncommon animals. These photos reveal that the snow leopard was roaming at an altitude of roughly 5,000 meters above sea stage, whereas the leopard was found throughout the Nature Reserve’s forested area at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea stage.
The discovery marked the primary time that both of those animals had been noticed in Daocheng county.
Lu Heshu, a wildlife knowledgeable primarily based in Chengdu, advised the Global Times that snow leopards primarily inhabit the Qinghai-Xizang Tibet Plateau in China, whereas leopards are extra generally encountered within the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan. However, each leopard species are exceptionally uncommon and have been designated as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“This discovery not solely offers vital scientific proof for researchers working in protected areas, but additionally serves as a beneficial reference for advancing analysis and conservation efforts regarding this flagship species and its habitat,” mentioned Lu.
The snow leopard and leopard aren’t solely uncommon but additionally vital indicators of ecosystem well being and biodiversity.
For occasion, leopards have lengthy served as “flagship” species for forest ecosystems. Jia Boyang, an environmental knowledgeable, advised the Global Times that the survival of leopards depends upon components like meals assets and safety from human interference, together with poaching.
“The Yading Nature Reserve strikes a steadiness by preserving the habitat for these valuable leopards whereas utilizing technological means, such because the monitoring system, for his or her conservation,” mentioned Jia.
As one in every of China’s national-level nature reserves, the Yading web site is also known as the “gene database for plateau species.” Alongside its ongoing “leopard mission,” it constantly employs know-how to boost the preservation of untamed species. In 2017, the analysis crew’s infrared cameras captured 20 species of mammals and 14 species of birds on the web site. The monitoring mission is ready to span 10 years.
Technological monitoring has turn into important for nationwide parks in China.
Dedicated to wildlife conservation, Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park is among the many first to implement an clever infrared digital camera system. In addition to commentary, the system permits researchers to acknowledge individual animals. There are plans to develop the system to cowl 14,600 sq. kilometers of the park, with over 100,000 clever monitoring gadgets to guard these endangered animals sooner or later.
“These parks not solely protect wilderness but additionally combine human presence to foster biodiversity within the surroundings,” Jia advised the Global Times.
