The population of Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil, a key nature
reserve in northwest China for the endangered animal, has expanded
by 200 percent in the past 10 years, thanks to antipoaching and
other protection efforts.
Currently, the number of the Tibetan antelopes in the nature
reserve is close to 60,000, compared with 20,000 in 1997, said
Cega, director of the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve Administration, based
in Qinghai Province.
Approximately 40,000 Tibetan antelopes gave births to cubs this
year and around 80 percent of the newborn antelopes survived, Cega
said.
"Since the administration was established in 1997, workers have
staged continuous crackdown on armed poaching activities, a major
threat to the species," said Cega.
"Tibetan antelopes have been able to live and reproduce in an
improved ecological environment without gun shots," Cega said.
A rare species spotted only in China, Tibetan antelopes are
targeted by poachers for use in making shawls that sell for up to
US$11,000 each. Their rampant hunting has led to a drastic decline
in the antelope population, from hundreds of thousands early last
century to just around 70,000 to 100,000 today.
The 45,000-sq km Hoh Xil lies at the juncture of Qinghai, Tibet
Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is also
home to wild yak, Tibetan wild ass and other species.
(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2007)
