Leopard Reappears at Liupan Mountain

The leopard, which had not been seen in Liupan Mountain for many years, was frequently spotted by local residents in recent months.

Other animals which are rarely seen for years have also reappeared at Liupanshan in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, since the Liupanshan State Forest Park was built last Spring.

Liupanshan stretches 100 kilometers in southern Ningxia. Jinghe and Qingshui rivers originate from the mountain range.

Currently, the forest zone of Liupan Mountain has 207 vertebrates and 17 kinds of animals under state protection. The number of leopard and civet cat has increased to almost 300, four or five times more than the previous figure.

A local forest official attributed the welcome change to wildlife protection in recent years. Local people have hung 1,000 bird's nest on trees, set free 3,000 animals and cracked down on 60 cases of poaching since 1995.






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