The number of snow leopards in Wolong is not less than 26. Experts believe that the distribution density of wild populations ranks first in China.
Snow leopard family of four (data picture). According to the average distribution density of snow leopards in China is 1 to 3 per 100 square kilometers, this is a large-scale snow leopard population found in a small area.
Sichuan will launch a field survey of snow leopards in Hengduan Mountain, which will take three years to find out the distribution and population status of snow leopards in the region.
According to the investigation results, targeted protection actions will be carried out to realize the increase of wild population.
On November 4 -5, at the first Hengduan Mountain Snow Leopard Protection Action Seminar held in Dujiangyan City, Wolong National Nature Reserve released a message saying that at least 26 snow leopards have "settled" on the 132 square kilometers of land in the reserve.
Experts attending the seminar agreed that according to the average distribution density of snow leopards in China of 1 to 3 per 100 square kilometers, this is a large-scale snow leopard population found in a small area, and the distribution density of wild snow leopards in Wolong ranks first in the country.
Participants also released the Wolong Snow Leopard Declaration. According to the Declaration, starting from this year, Sichuan will launch a field survey of snow leopards in Hengduan Mountain, which will take three years to preliminarily find out the distribution and population status of snow leopards in the region. At the same time, according to the survey results, targeted protection actions will be carried out to realize the increase of wild populations. In addition, the "Declaration" also proposes to strengthen the red line control of snow leopards and further improve the protection system of snow leopards.
In June this year, the field researchers of Wolong Nature Reserve conducted grid control with infrared cameras in an area of 132 square kilometers with an altitude of 4,000-5,700 meters, covering five snow leopard habitats and potential habitats, which was the largest snow leopard monitoring ever carried out in Wolong. The data collection shows that there are 47 infrared camera spots to capture Snow Leopard, and the total time to capture Snow Leopard video is 36 minutes.
Among the videos collected this time, there is a video and several photos, which record a warm picture of a family of four snow leopards. In the video, a mother snow leopard with three cubs moves around in the snow-covered bare rock zone. Judging from their size, the snow leopard cubs are not yet one year old, and they are rolling around behind their mother’s ass, which is embarrassing. According to experts, judging from the current known situation, the food chain of snow leopard in Wolong National Nature Reserve is sufficient, and its habitat is well protected, so it is natural for snow leopard families to "travel collectively".
In Sichuan, snow leopards are mainly distributed in Qionglai Mountain, Daxueshan Mountain, Minshan Mountain and Western Sichuan, covering 10 nature reserves, including Anzi River, Heishui River, Fengtongzhai, Siguniang Mountain, Caopo, miyaluo, Gongga Mountain, Wang Lang, Xuebaoding and Gexigou.
interlinkage
Will snow leopards pose a threat to giant pandas?
Wolong is the concentrated distribution area of snow leopards and the home of giant pandas. Will snow leopards and giant pandas meet in the wild? Will fierce snow leopards pose a threat to giant pandas?
"No." When the reporter threw this question to Shi Xiaogang, the stationmaster of Mujiangping Protection Station in Wolong National Nature Reserve, he responded categorically: the two cannot be touched at all. Taking Wolong as an example, the activity area of snow leopard is above 3500 meters above sea level, while the activity area of wild giant panda is mainly below 3200 meters above sea level.
The relevant person in charge of the Wild Protection Department of the Provincial Forestry Department confirmed that at present, no conflict cases between snow leopards and wild populations of giant pandas have been found in Sichuan.
Having dealt with snow leopards for many years, Shi Xiaogang said that the staple food of snow leopards in Sichuan is basically the same as that in other parts of the country, and herbivores such as Himalayan marmots and rock sheep are delicious in their mouths. But giant pandas are not among them. (Reporter Wang Chengdong)