Dunhuang West Lake Nature Reserve: Large Groups of Wild Camels Frequently Spotted; First Footage of Desert Cat
Recently, researchers at the Dunhuang West Lake National Nature Reserve Administration discovered a large group of wild camels passing through the areas of Tuoxiaolu and Tianqiuqun during data collection using infrared cameras. The video and photos show that the camels have a robust physique and shiny fur, with approximately 35 peaks, which is the largest number of wild camel individuals recorded since the establishment of the reserve.
Wild camels
During the infrared camera monitoring in the area north of Yuliquan, researchers also discovered photos and videos of the national second-level protected animal, the Desert Cat. The Desert Cat is the only cat species native to China, currently listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union. At other monitoring points, infrared cameras also captured a variety of wild animals, including Golden Eagles, Eothist Horned Antelope, Lynx, Fennec Fox, and Hedgehog.
Psuedo Horse
The data collection provided by the monitoring provided the Dunhuang West Lake Nature Reserve Administration with comprehensive materials to take strict prohibition measures, strengthen wildlife control, and also provided scientific evidence for the rescue and biodiversity research of rare and endangered wild animals in the reserve.
Desert Cat
The Gansu Dunhuang West Lake National Nature Reserve is located at the western end of the Helan Mountains, along the eastern edge of the Kumtag Desert, between the East Aljin Mountains and the North Mountains, with a total area of 660,000 hectares. It is a typical inland wetland ecosystem, desert ecosystem, and desert wild plant and animal protection complex type natural reserve, and is an important ‘habitat’ for Pseudo Horses and wild camels.
Source: New Gansu Client
