Infrared cameras capture over 10 rare jackals in NW China

APD NEWS

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Infrared cameras captured the tracks of over 10 jackals in Qilian Mountains in Qinghai Province in northwest China – the largest number recorded in the region in nearly a decade.

The endangered animals were seen walking with light steps in a valley. They have short limbs and their tails are slightly longer than wolves. Under China's wildlife protection law, jackals are under first-class state protection.

"Since we began the monitoring, jackals have been found in sporadic places. But it is the first time that a group of over 10 jackals was found in Qilian Mountains," said Gao Yayue, director of the research and monitoring division of the Qinghai Provincial Administration Bureau of the Qilian Mountain National Park.

At the end of 2019, the provincial bureau carried out a joint special survey of jackals with Peking University and discovered several jackal habitats and groups of varied sizes. Experts came to the preliminary conclusion that the jackals in the mountain area are the only surviving northern populations in the world.

"We will continue to carry out in-depth research on the threats to the jackal population, their distribution and the relationship between jackals and humans for more ecological information of the jackals and provide scientific and technological supports for the protection," said Gao.

(Cover image is a screenshot.)

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