Cameras in Lhasa's wildlife survey show diversity

Image data captured a wildlife survey found that Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region, is stable home to at least 80 species of animals, and the city is biologically diverse, according to the Lhasa Ecology and Environment Bureau.

Starting in June 2021, the bureau launched a biodiversity surveying project with the support of the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science to check the city's biodiversity status. 

Between June and August last year, infrared cameras were placed in high-density of wildlife movement areas of the city's districts and counties. According to an analysis of the data captured, the city has 80 species, including 22 species of mammals, 57 birds and one reptile. 

Of the 80 species, 14 are first- or second-class State-protected animals — more than 17 percent of the total. 

Three species under first-class protection are the snow leopard, white-lipped deer and musk deer. Eleven species under second-class national protection include the Pallas's cat, lynx, red fox, Tibetan fox, Chinese gazelle, blue sheep, Tibetan gazelle and Tibetan pheasant.

The environment bureau cited an anonymous expert from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science as saying that the survey exceeded expectations, reflecting a high density of wild species in Lhasa.

The survey results also reflect successful governmental efforts in natural environment protection and ecological conservation. 

The bureau said next it would continue to work with the academy to place more infrared cameras and train more local residents to become more capable of ecological monitoring.