Recently, dozens of Mongolian wild asses, a national first-class protected species, were seen "traveling in groups" in Mulei County's northern desert, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. These herd-loving animals typically form small groups led by a male and gather in larger numbers in winter to avoid predators. Thanks to Xinjiang's grazing bans and habitat restoration efforts, their population in the Kalamaili Mountain reserve has grown by just over 100 in 2025 to more than 3,800.