Tibetan antelopes have started their annual migration to their natural habitats after giving birth in northwest China's Hoh Xil nature reserve, according to the facility's management.

Every year, pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Hoh Xil between the end of May and early June to give birth and leave with their offspring around August. Zonag Lake, at the heart of Hoh Xil, is known as the "delivery room" for the species.

About 40 female Tibetan antelopes with three calves were spotted crossing Saturday through a special path, designed and built for such migration, under the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Experts say that in recent years, the number of calves among the migrating flocks accounted for between a fifth and a quarter of the population.

"In the early stage of migration, Tibetan antelopes face a high risk of falling prey to predators, so the number of calves in the flock is relatively small, and there may even be none," said Lian Xinming, an associate research fellow at Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

According to statistics from the reserve's management bureau, the number of Tibetan antelopes that migrate back has been rising. A total of 4,860 Tibetan antelopes were spotted migrating last year, 338 more than in 2018.
"This year's migration season is expected to end in early September. The population is expected to continue to increase," Lian said.

Tibetan antelopes are mostly found in Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The species is under first-class state protection in China.

In the 1980s, the Tibetan antelope population declined sharply from 200,000 to 20,000 due to illegal hunting. It has recovered thanks to the country's efforts to improve its habitat and crackdown on poaching.

To ensure the species go back to their habitats safe and sound, the reserve's management bureau has staff monitor their migration. When they come over in large groups, the rangers temporarily close some sections of the road to make way for the animals and prevent them from having interactions with humans.

In July 2017, Hoh Xil became a world heritage site and is now home to more than 70,000 Tibetan antelopes.

(Cover image via VCG.)

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