National Level Protected Animal Linshi Makes its Debut ‘On Camera’ in Shanguanzhan Protection Area of Shaanxi Province
Xi'an News Network reported that recently, staff at the Shanguanzhan Natural Reserve in Shaanxi Province discovered footage and photos of wild Linshi (Iriomotohyalus) in multiple locations while reviewing infrared camera monitoring data. This is the first time that the national level protected animal, the Linshi, has been 'filmed' in the Shanguanzhan protection area.
It is reported that the Linshi in Shanguanzhan Protection Area belong to the family of Meiluo (Iriomotohyalus) and are a national key protected wild animal. They are sparsely distributed in Ningpans county and are listed as endangered species. Infrared camera data shows that the video was shot on February 2 and 26, 2020, and the location was in the core area of the protection area at an altitude of 1850 meters. The video shows the Linshi taking three steps before stopping, leisurely foraging, and occasionally looking at the infrared camera, which is cute and endearing.
An adult Linshi weighs 6 to 9 kilograms and its body length can reach 63 to 80 centimeters. The musk secreted by male Linshi has high medicinal value and is also a precious natural high-grade fragrance, which is a traditional Chinese export currency product, often referred to as ‘soft gold’.
The Shanguanzhan Provincial Natural Reserve was established in 2006 and is located in Ningpans county, Shaanxi Province. The main protection objects are the national key protected animals such as giant pandas. It connects the Tianwasha and Pingheliang animal populations of the Qinling Mountains and pandas, and is an important area for the genetic exchange of giant panda populations.
Since the wild infrared camera monitoring project was launched in 2013 with funding from the World Wildlife Fund, Shanguanzhan Protection Area has collected more than 300,000 infrared photos and videos. In 2015 and 2016, photos and videos of giant pandas were also captured at different locations. The Linshi was also captured for the first time in the protection area.
‘This monitoring and shooting of rare images and videos of wild Linshi is the first time it has been captured in the protection area, filling the gap in the protection area’s information on wild Linshi,’ said Pan Quiren, director of the Resource Protection and Development Management Section of Shanguanzhan Provincial Natural Reserve. ‘
In recent years, the protection area has continuously implemented strict management measures, through strengthening resource protection, increasing publicity and education, and solidifying community co-building, which has effectively increased the ecological protection awareness of residents in the protection area, reduced human interference in the forest area, and the biodiversity in the area is becoming increasingly rich, making the protection area a paradise for the reproduction of giant pandas, golden monkeys, cattle, and Linshi.
Writer/Photographer Xi'an Daily Comprehensive Reporter Zhang Song Correspondent Chen Yijiu Pengtao
