Wildlife Paradise in Shaanxi

Foping County in Shaanxi Province, a home to China's treasured giant panda, has become a paradise for wild animals thanks to the local government's efforts at environmental protection, and anti-logging and afforestation steps.

With a population of as much as 40,000, Foping is located on the north slope of the Qinling Mountains. It has a forest area of 1.7 million mu (113,000 ha).

The forests of the county teem with takin deer, golden monkeys and golden pheasants.

In 1998, the county closed 90 percent of the local wood processing plants to make more living space for wildlife, said a local official.

The area has become home to more and more wild animals in recent years, the official said. In the valleys, there is even a chance of seeing more than 50 golden monkeys or takins running together, he said.

According to the official, there are 433 species of vertebrates, of which 65 are under the state-level protection, inhabiting the reserve.

The number of takins has increased from several hundred only a few years ago to more than 2,000 now, he said. The latest survey showed that the number of rare bird species, including mandarin ducks and golden eagles, here is over 300.

(Eastday.com.cn 07/07/2001)



In This Series

New Technology to Treat Sterility of Giant Pandas

Giant Pandas Get Genetic ID Cards

China Home to Over 1,000 Pandas

Giant Panda Coins Issued

Giant Pandas, the Goodwill Ambassadors

“Wildlife Kingdom” Conducts Survey on Giant Pandas

2nd Stage of "Chinese Giant Panda Park" Passed Examination

Sichuan Hails Panda Baby Boom

Sichuan to Clone Giant Panda

Pandas Returned to Wild

Research on Giant Panda Protection Still Needed

"Hero Mother" Giant Panda Gives Birth to Twins

Sick Giant Panda Out of Danger

Giant Panda With Deformed Vagina Gives Birth

References

Archive

Web Link