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China studies wild snow leopards' life using satellite collars
CGTN
01:17

Chinese scientists are monitoring snow leopards with satellite collars to figure out the best ways for humans to get along with wildlife.

The Wildlife Research Institute of Beijing Forestry University is tracing and studying the snow leopard in the wild to learn more about the species. The project was approved by the China National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Shi Kun, head of the Wildlife Institute of Beijing Forestry University, said his team went to the Qilianshan National Park of northwest China's Gansu Province to find a subject.

According to Shi, the project needs three snow leopards living in the wild. The team caught their first big cat, Su Ye, in Yanchiwan Nature Reserve in Qilianshan National Park and put a satellite collar on it before releasing it back into the wild. In March, one of the three subjects broke into a rural resident's home in northwest China's Qinghai Province. Researchers named the leopard Ling Zhe and sent it back to Qilianshan National Park with the collar. Later, the third leopard, Na Yin, was also released into the wild, providing priceless data for the researchers.

According to the signals sent back by the collars, the three animals are active in the wild. The research team is continuously receiving more valuable information about animals.

"Take 'Ling Zhe' as an example. Since we released it to the wild on March 16, the leopard has been wandering in quite a large area. During its roaming, the leopard has come across active human areas, even going through farming fields. However, whenever it stepped into places other than its habitats, or meeting something disturbing, it would return to its natural habitat," said Shi.

Experts said snow leopards are usually active in their own habitat; however, there will be brief intersections between human and snow leopard territory. After coming across humans, snow leopards will not stay for a long time. Instead, they quickly return to their territory. The experts are expecting for a coexistence of human and snow leopards.

"The coexistence of man and wildlife, especially those large beasts, doesn't mean we have to live in the same area. Coexistence means man and animal can live their life in their own ways. And people and animals have different territories. I call it coexistence in different regions. Human and wildlife live in different areas but also in the same biological system on the same planet, achieving a coexistence of man and wild animals," said Shi.

(Cover image via screenshot.)

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

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