New snake species found at Mt. Qomolangma

LHASA - Chinese scientists have discovered a new species of brownish pit viper in the largest scientific study since the 1970s on wildlife at Mount Qomolangma, known in the West as Mount Everest.

A genetic analysis revealed Protobothrops himalayanus, which was first spotted at Jilong Valley in southern Tibet Autonomous Region in 2012, to be a new snake species, Hu Huijian, co-chief of the research team, told Xinhua on Thursday.

The new species was named in honor of its home, the Himalayas, said Hu, a researcher of the South China Institute of Endangered Animals.

Featuring a round head and copper-colored eyes, the adult Protobothrops himalayanus is about 1.5 meters in length. Mostly living on the south flank of the Himalayas, the animal is fierce and aggressive.

"Actually, local people called it 'the holy dragon of the Himalayas' and they always show great awe toward the creatures, which are well protected," he said.

The discovery, published in "Asian Herpetological Research," an international authoritative academic journal, is more evidence of Tibet's biodiversity, he said.

Currently, there are 12 valid species in the genus Protobothrops, of which seven are known to inhabit China and many of them prefer mountain areas at high elevations.

Since the expedition started on October 2010, the research team has traveled an area of 32,000 sq km and has so far discovered and identified 499 species of vertebrates, including eight species of fish, according to the scientist.

"Twenty of them are under top-level state protection, nine of which are on the 'red list' of endangered species by the Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature," said Hu.

Previous records showed that more than 360 species of vertebrates were found in the region.

The new discoveries have laid a solid foundation for wildlife study and protection at Mount Qomolangma, which has one of the world's most-watched and vulnerable ecosystems, said Cao Tiantang, head of the Mt. Qomolangma nature reserve, which organized the research.

"It's such a happy surprise to see not only those species, but also a complete food chain well protected in the nature reserve," said Hu.

Another inspiring discovery is the brown-fronted woodpecker, which was previously seen in Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, but has only recently been observed in China.

The bird was discovered in the Jilong Valley in May 2012.

"Mount Qomolangma is a big treasure for science," said Hu.

"As the research continues, we believe there are surprises ahead. Many places in the nature reserve were out of reach for scientists before because of adverse weather and geographical conditions," he said.

China has previously organized two scientific studies on wildlife at Mount Qomolangma, one in 1975 and another from 1991 to 1993.

The Qomolangma nature reserve, created in 1988, was recognized in 1999 by the United Nations as one of the world's most successful examples of sustainable development.

Covering 34,000 sq km, the reserve sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters and is home to five of the world's 14 tallest peaks.

The reserve has spent one million yuan (162,338 U.S. dollars) on technology to stop poaching, including installing cameras, said Cao.

Patrols and law enforcement will also be stepped up to protect wild animals such as the snow leopard, Tibetan wild ass and long-tailed monkey.