The population of Central Asian salamanders, a critically endangered species, increased to over 3,000 in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2018, according to the latest statistics from the Xinjiang Salamander National Nature Reserve.

Central Asian Salamander is also called Xinjiang salamander in China. It's an amphibian that normally measures around 20 centimeters long and has been listed as an endangered species under China's national second-class protection. 

The species has been living on earth for more than 300 million years, inhabiting rocky hill streams and lakes with clear water. It is often called a "living fossil," yet due to habitat destruction and over-hunting, the existence of the species has become a struggle. The number of Central Asian salamanders in Xinjiang suffered a significant drop to fewer than 100 in 1996. 

To turn the tables, the local authority increased protection of the Central Asian salamander, upgrading the local Wenquan Xinjiang Salamander National Nature Reserve to a national-level reserve in 2017. Herding was also banned in the area to turn grazing lands back into grasslands and wetlands. 

"There were many springs in the past, but now we have seen severe drought and the springs have become smaller. We have diverted water to enlarge its population. The conservation has been very good. Every week I would get on my motorbike or horse to take a patrol that would cost three to four hours a day," said Dong Hua, a keeper with Wenquan Xinjiang Salamander National Nature Reserve.  

To raise awareness of protection, China invested some eight million yuan (about 1.18 million U.S. dollars) in 2016 to set up a local salamander scientific research and education center. Using digital projections, the center recreates the living environment of the Central Asian salamanders 300-400 million years ago. 

 "I hope everyone would cherish our nature, protect our environment and the wetlands. I wish that these endangered species can live on forever, bringing good luck to our offspring. I hope they can have an opportunity to see the Central Asian salamanders," said Huang Lili, a tourist. 

The Central Asian salamander (Ranodon sibiricus) is a species of salamander found on the border of China and Kazakhstan. Its natural habitats include forests, grassland, rivers, and freshwater springs. The species is mainly threatened by habitat loss.