Qinghai Nianbao Yuze captured clear images of two adult snow leopards for the first time

Snow leopards originated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Molecular biology research results show that among living cats, snow leopards and tigers have the closest evolutionary relationship, and the two diverged about 2 million years ago. Throughout its distribution range, snow leopards inhabit high-altitude habitats and are the highest-altitude cats in the world. They like to move in steep terrain, including alpine flow rocks, ridges, cliffs, etc. Their short and thick limbs and long and powerful tail allow snow leopards to move freely among steep rocks.

Recently, reporters learned from the Propaganda Department of the Jiuzhi County Party Committee of Qinghai Province that on February 14, two adult snow leopards were discovered in the Nianbao Yuze Protection Area of the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve in Jiuzhi County, Goluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. This is the first time in this area. Clear images of snow leopards were recorded.

It is reported that on February 12, the Nianbao Yuze Scenic Area Protection Management Bureau received a report from a herdsman in Suohurima Township, Jiuzhi County, that an underage yak of his was lost and could not be found, and there was a possibility of being hunted by a snow leopard.

After learning about the situation, the Nianbao Yuze Scenic Area Management Bureau immediately sent personnel to the scene to inspect. After three consecutive days of tracking footprints and waiting at the site, they finally found a rocky area 4,500 meters above sea level in Suohurima Township. A human-machine camera captured clear images of two adult snow leopards.

A snow leopard was photographed by a staff member of the Nianbao Yuze Scenic Area Administration Bureau using a drone. ​

Snow leopards, which often live on the ridges of mountain tops at an altitude of 2,500 to 5,000 meters, are known as "the barometer of the health of high-altitude ecosystems." In 1996, the "Red Data Book of Endangered Animals in China" listed it as an endangered species. At present, China has become the country with the largest distribution of snow leopards in the world, covering 60% of its habitat and distributed in Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Tibet and other provinces.

Jiuzhi County, located in the core area of Sanjiangyuan, is a county under the jurisdiction of Goluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province and is located at the junction of Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu provinces. The average altitude here is more than 4,000 meters, and there are geological relics such as ice erosion landforms, moraine landforms, and modern glaciers. It is known as the "Garden of the Gods".

In recent years, the Jiuzhi County Party Committee and County Government have continued to increase the protection and publicity of the ecological environment and wild animals. As the local ecosystem gradually recovers and the food chain becomes relatively complete, blue sheep, wild boars, serows, lynx, and Przewalski's gazelles within its territory , roe deer and other wild animals are increasing day by day, and traces of wild snow leopards have been found many times in the Nianbao Yuze Nature Reserve.

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