Nature
2020.04.23 13:37 GMT+8

Rare Animals in China: King of foodies

Updated 2020.04.23 13:37 GMT+8
CGTN

CGTN Nature film crew had a little trouble filming this big guy in Zhangjiajie Mountains in central China, because he basically it did nothing else except eating. 

There are eight bear species worldwide, four of which live in China. The most famous superstar is certainly the giant panda. For the other members of Chinese bear family, click here:

Meet Chinese bears: Half of the world's bear species can be found here

The Asiatic black bear shown in the footage has a beautiful name: moon bear. This comes from the crescent-shaped white patch on its chest, which helps to differentiate from its cousin, the American black bear. In Northeast China, the widely ranged bear is also called "blind bear" by locals, as it has quite poor vision. 

Since it spent most of the time eating, the CGTN Nature film crew named it "king of foodies." Despite a large appetite, the Asiatic black bear is mostly vegetarian. 

In the past, China had cases of tragic "bile bears" locked in cages, but now the country has taken measures to ban bear bile farming, as Chinese people oppose this kind of inhumane industry. So far, the main threat the Asiatic black bears face in China is deforestation. Overlogging causes habitat loss for bears living in northeastern China. 

The Asiatic black bear is under second-class national protection, any poaching leads to punishment.

About Rare Animals in China

How many rare animals in China can you list? The panda, red panda, snub-nosed monkey, snow leopard... We want to make sure you can name 100 – or more.

China is home to rich biodiversity. This series will focuses on the rare animals that inhabit China and under national protection. They need us, and the first step of protection is to know who they are.

(Video clip credits to CGTN Nature film crew. Cover picture is a stillshot of the video, designed by CGTN's Chen Yuyang)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)

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