Qinling's 'Four Treasures' spotted in nature reserve due to protection

In collaboration with institutions such as Northwest University (China) and the Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province initiated a comprehensive survey of its natural resources in 2022. The survey data has been released recently.

Established in 1986 and upgraded to a national-level reserve in 1988, Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve initially focused on the conservation of the golden snub-nosed monkey. The current population of these monkeys has shown a steady trend of growth.

Li Baoguo, vice director of the Biodiversity National Field Scientific Research Observation Station for Giant Pandas and Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys and a professor at Northwest University, stated, "Forty years ago, during our first survey in the Qinling Mountains, there were approximately 1,200 golden snub-nosed monkeys in Zhouzhi Nature Reserve. After 40 years of protection, the population has now reached around 1,900."

Simultaneously, other native species in the reserve have also received effective protection and restoration. Furthermore, the reserve has attracted additional wildlife species that are becoming new members of the Zhouzhi forest ecosystem.

According to Tian Wenyong, director of Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve, the latest survey indicates that there are over 50 pandas and more than 10 leopards in the reserve. The number of takins, which is under first-class state protection, increased from 400 to 599.

Experts attribute this success to a crucial policy implemented in 1999, which comprehensively banned commercial logging of natural forests in the Qinling Mountains. Li Baoguo highlighted that the forest coverage in the Qinling Mountains has increased from around 70 percent to over 85 percent.

The most recent survey reveals a transformation in the status of state protected animals in Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve. The renowned "Four Treasures of Qinling" – giant panda, takin, snub-nosed monkey and crested ibis – have now all been spotted in the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve.