Population of Tibetan antelope nearly doubled in northern Tibet

The population of endangered Tibetan antelopes has nearly doubled in the Changtang State Nature Reserve of Nagqu Prefecture in the north of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) thanks to the intensified preservation efforts over the past ten years, according to statistics released by the regional forest bureau.

Statistics shows both quantity and the variety of wildlife species have increased remarkably in the Changtang State Nature Reserve since it was set up in 2000. For example, the number of Tibetan antelopes soared from around 60,000 to 120,000, that of wild Tibetan yaks from around 6,000 to 9,000, and that of wild Tibetan donkeys from 50,000 to 80,000.

More than 100 species of animals under the state's first and second grade protection live in the nature reserve such as wild Tibetan donkey, wild Tibetan yak, Tibetan antelope, Argali sheep, etc.

"The multi-model and multi-level nature reserve provides a good habitat for wild animals to quickly recover their species," said an official with the regional wildlife protection office.

Based on the principle of environmental protection, Tibet has accelerated the development of the Changtang State Nature Reserve and made great efforts to improve the system of wildlife protection by giving wide publicity, which in return has advanced the harmonious relations between human and nature.

Besides, the local government has earmarked a special fund to compensate farmers and herdsmen for the losses caused by wild animals with the total amount hitting 10 million yuan in Nagqu Prefecture alone in 2009.

The governmental compensatory measures have greatly aroused locals' enthusiasm toward protecting wildlife.

Locating in the north of Tibet, south of the Kunlun Mountain and Ke Ke Xi Li , and north of Mt. Kangdese and Mt. Nyainqentanglha, the Changtang State Nature Reserve with a total area of 29.8 million hectares was listed as the regional nature reserve in July 1993 and upgraded to a state one in April 2000.

Source: China Tibet Information Center