More than 80 white-lipped deer were spotted crossing the Yellow River in northwest China's Qinghai Province. The rare species is endemic to China and under first-class protection. The deer are named for the distinctive white color extending from the upper part of their throats to their lips. As typical alpine animals, white-lipped deer inhabit highland grasslands at elevations ranging from 3,500 to 5,100 meters above sea level on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.