Dunhuang West Lake Nature Reserve: Large Groups of Wild Camels Frequently Spotted; First Time Filmed Desert Cats

Gansu News Client Dunhuang Branch – (Gansu Daily reporter Sun Haifeng, communication by Qiu Liang) Recently, researchers from the Dunhuang West Lake National Nature Reserve Bureau discovered a large group of wild camels passing through the areas of Tuoxiaolu and Tianqiundun during data collection using infrared cameras. From the footage, the camels were in good condition, with shiny fur, and there were approximately 35 peaks, which is the largest number of individual camels recorded since the establishment of the reserve.From the infrared camera monitoring of the reserve, researchers also discovered photographs and videos of the national level protected animal, the desert cat, in the north of Yuluquan River, Shuilu River. The desert cat is the only cat species native to China, and is currently listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union. At the same time, infrared cameras at other locations also captured various wild animals such as golden eagles, goose-throated hares, lynx, fennec foxes, hedgehogs, etc.

This monitoring data collection provided the West Lake Reserve Bureau with solid data to implement strict prohibition measures and strengthen the management of wild animals, and also provided scientific evidence for the rescue and protection of rare and endangered wild animals and biodiversity research.

Gansu Dunhuang West Lake National Nature Reserve is located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, 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 ecological system, desert ecological system and desert wild plant and animal protection of composite type nature reserve, and is also an important ‘habitat’ for Przewalski’s horses and wild camels.

Wild camels.