From wildlife rescue to China's biodiversity conservation

"Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved." The famous words of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall greet visitors at Xining Wildlife Park.

More than just a zoo, Xining Wildlife Park is also known as the Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center, an institution dedicated to wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, breeding research and conservation education. Since 2010, it has rescued more than 2,700 wild animals from over 60 species, with around one-third successfully released back into the wild.

Among its best-known residents are four iconic highland predators – the snow leopard, Eurasian lynx, Pallas's cat and Chinese mountain cat. Their stories have become a window into wildlife conservation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

The snow leopard is the park's biggest star. In March 2025, a severely injured cub was found in the Sanjiangyuan area. Rescue workers drove hundreds of kilometers to bring the cub, later named Ling Xiaozhe, to Xining for emergency treatment. His injuries were likely caused by a fall from a significant height, leaving him with a fractured cervical spine, systemic inflammation and hypothermia. After months of intensive care, he gradually recovered, while his rescue attracted nationwide attention through livestreams that offered the public a rare look inside China's wildlife rescue efforts.

"Ling Xiaozhe's rescue has advanced our work in rescuing endangered wildlife, conservation communication and public education," said He Shunfu, head of the rescue department at the Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center.

"Whenever an animal has a chance to return to the wild, we do everything we can to make it happen," said veterinarian Wang Lu. "So far, the center has successfully released three rescued snow leopards."

Adult snow leopards can often be released after rehabilitation, but cubs rescued at a very young age often cannot survive independently in the wild, as they miss the opportunity to learn hunting and survival skills from their mothers, explained veterinarian Zhao Hailong.

Even so, these animals continue to make important contributions. Veterinary examinations and long-term monitoring have helped researchers establish valuable baseline data on snow leopard anesthesia, health indicators and medical treatment, improving future rescue efforts for wild populations.

Ongoing conservation efforts at both the national and local levels have improved habitat quality and supported a steady increase in the snow leopard population. Today, Qinghai is home to an estimated 1,200 snow leopards, making it one of the world's most important habitats for this species.

The other three species each tell their own conservation story. The Eurasian lynx, recognizable by its distinctive black ear tufts, is considered an important indicator of ecosystem health.

The Pallas's cat, famous for its expressive face and exceptionally dense fur, helps maintain ecological balance by preying on pikas and other small mammals.

The Chinese mountain cat is a species found only in China and listed as a national first-class protected animal. In 2024, the park successfully released a Chinese mountain cat fitted with a satellite tracking collar, allowing researchers to study its movements while enabling faster rescue if the animal encounters danger.

Behind these four animals lies a much bigger conservation story. From emergency rescue and veterinary care to scientific research, conservation breeding, public education and reintroduction, their stories reflect China's growing commitment to biodiversity conservation.

With major biodiversity conservation projects included in China's 15th Five-Year Plan for achieving the Beautiful China vision, institutions like Xining Wildlife Park are helping bridge the gap between science and public awareness. Every rescued animal deepens scientific understanding, every successful release strengthens wild populations, and every story inspires more people to care about the future of wildlife.