Researchers captured an Asian golden cat by infrared cameras in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, at an altitude of 4,415 meters. This altitude has become the highest distribution altitude of Asian golden cats in the world so far.

"In the infrared camera monitoring image, an adult Asian golden cat is constantly looking around, and then slowly walks past the camera," said Zhao Xiang, director of Shan Shui Conservation Center.

The Asian golden cat has been classified as a first-class protected animal in China and is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Being a medium-sized feline, the Asian golden cat weighs about two or three times that of a domestic cat. 

Research shows that due to various factors such as habitat loss and trees degradation, the population of global Asian golden cats has dropped by 20 percent to 30 percent in recent years, and has continued to decline. 

"Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon region is rich in biodiversity, and in the future, the forestry department will work with the scientific research team to expand the monitoring network based on infrared cameras. We will also adopt various types of research methods to further improve biodiversity, " said Liu Zhen, director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Motuo County.

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