Post by Melly on Feb 15, 2005 17:08:49 GMT
Tibetan Red Deer Rediscovered
The Tibetan red deer, thought to be extinct for more than 50 years, has been rediscovered in Shannan Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The local forestry bureau has applied for the establishment of a state nature reserve to protect the habitat of this rare species in Shangri County.
An international trade treaty lists the deer, known by the scientific name cervus elaphus wallichi, as an endangered species. The species was discovered 150 years ago in Bhutan, Sikkim, and areas south of China's Yarlung Zangbo River.
The beautiful deer were cruelly slaughtered for their valuable pilose antlers, which are thought to be much more valuable than the antlers of other deer species. Mature red deer weigh about 110 kilometers and stand 1.2 meters.
In 1992, Liu Wulin, a wildlife expert in Tibet, found the bodies of two red deer killed by poachers. In October and November 1995, Liu and his team conducted a 40-day field investigation covering 40,000 square meters in Shannan.
Liu said the investigation revealed there are less than 200 red deer in Sangri, Nedong, Zhanang, Gonggar and Gyaca counties. The herd was found in alpine meadow areas at 4,000 meters above sea level on the northern banks of the Yarlung Zangbo River. Liu said the Tibetan red deer migrated from the southern banks due to environmental changes, war and poachers, which have devastated the species since the 1940s.
The Tibetan red deer, thought to be extinct for more than 50 years, has been rediscovered in Shannan Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The local forestry bureau has applied for the establishment of a state nature reserve to protect the habitat of this rare species in Shangri County.
An international trade treaty lists the deer, known by the scientific name cervus elaphus wallichi, as an endangered species. The species was discovered 150 years ago in Bhutan, Sikkim, and areas south of China's Yarlung Zangbo River.
The beautiful deer were cruelly slaughtered for their valuable pilose antlers, which are thought to be much more valuable than the antlers of other deer species. Mature red deer weigh about 110 kilometers and stand 1.2 meters.
In 1992, Liu Wulin, a wildlife expert in Tibet, found the bodies of two red deer killed by poachers. In October and November 1995, Liu and his team conducted a 40-day field investigation covering 40,000 square meters in Shannan.
Liu said the investigation revealed there are less than 200 red deer in Sangri, Nedong, Zhanang, Gonggar and Gyaca counties. The herd was found in alpine meadow areas at 4,000 meters above sea level on the northern banks of the Yarlung Zangbo River. Liu said the Tibetan red deer migrated from the southern banks due to environmental changes, war and poachers, which have devastated the species since the 1940s.
