KUNMING, China: Infrared cameras have recently captured images of snow leopards in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, confirming the presence of this endangered species for the first time. Authorities reported the sightings in two locations: one at an altitude of 4,500 meters in Shangri-La and the other at 4,800 meters in a township in Deqen County.
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Due to the snow leopards’ high-altitude habitat and the lack of systematic surveys, it had been unclear whether the species was present in Yunnan, with no photographs in the wild for many years. Jiang Xuelong, a researcher from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, noted that the recent sightings in the northwestern part of Yunnan not only confirm the leopards’ presence but also mark one of the southernmost distribution records for the species in China.
Snow leopards, known as the “king of the snow mountains,” are under first-class national protection in China. They are also listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These majestic creatures have long been a symbol of the wild mountain ecosystems in China, and their presence in Yunnan highlights the province’s ecological significance.
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The sightings of snow leopards are seen as a positive sign for wildlife conservation efforts in the region. It also draws attention to the need for more conservation work, particularly in areas that are hard to monitor due to the challenging terrain and climate. These findings provide valuable insight into the distribution of snow leopards in China and contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect these rare and elusive animals.
