Top 6 Endangered Species in China
China is
home to some of the most exotic and precious species of wildlife, but over the
years the deterioration and destruction of wildlife habitats due to rapid
urbanization in China has resulted in a number of species becoming endangered
and more seriously on the verge of extinction.
To
protect these endangered animals the government has set up various breeding bases
and protection of habitats. The top 10 endangered species are located in different
locations across China and these bases are open to the public to visit. To get
up close and personal with the animals will prove to be a surprising trip for
animal lovers to China.
Check
out our top 10 endangered species ranking and found out more about where to see
these wonderful animals!
The Giant Panda
The
Giant panda was declared an endangered species in 1990 and there is an
estimated 1000-2000 still living in the wild. The destruction of bamboo forest
have made survival for the pandas difficult. Captive breeding has proven to be
successful with an estimated 200 living in captivity and breeding bases.
The most
famous breeding sanctuaries for pandas is the Chengdu Panda Base where there are currently 83 pandas.
Location: Wild pandas can
be found in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu province.
Chinese Alligator
The
Chinese Alligator is one of the world’s most endangered species with an
estimated 150 in the wild. The alligators are endangered due to poaching and
hunting resulting in a large decrease in numbers. In 1979 an Alligator Breeding
Centre was established in Anhui and has been very successful in terms of
breeding.
Location: Alligators can
be found in the Yangtze River, Southern Anhui Province, Zhejiang and Jiangsu
Province.
Golden Snubbed Nosed Monkey
The
beautifully colored Golden Snubbed Nosed Monkey is endangered due to a loss of
habitat. Their main diet is Lichen which is found on dead trees but due to the
harvesting of dead trees the monkeys have difficulty finding food. The monkey’s
can survive in low temperatures compared to other animals.
Location: Golden Snubbed
Nosed Monkeys can be found in Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi and Hubei.
Baiji Dolphin
The
Baiji Dolphin was once hailed as the “Goddess of Yangtze” by fisherman. Sadly
the dolphins are now pronounced extinct due to water pollution and river
development projects. The dolphins were once found in the Yangtze River and are
the only fresh water dolphins in China.
Location: The dolphins
were once found in the Yangtze River.
South China Tiger
The
South China Tiger has been classified as “functionally extinct” as there have
been no signs of the Tigers in the wild for 25 years. The Tigers were once
considered pests and hunted also there is no longer sufficient habitat and prey
available for them to survive. There have been attempts to breed the Tigers in captivity
with some success.
Location: The South China
Tiger was originally found in Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan and Jiangxi.
Tibetan Antelope
The
Tibetan antelopes are found at the highest and most remote plateaus in the
world, these creatures can be found at elevations of 5,550 meters. Over the
past 20 years there has been a decline in the number of Tibetan Antelopes due
to poaching for its fur coat. The fur coat of the Antelope is used to weave
exquisite materials known as Shahtoosh which are used to make shawls that can
be valued at over $20,000 in markets.
Location: The antelopes
are found on the Tibetan Plateau.
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