In the cold season at the end of the year,The border between China and Mongolia is a natural wonder that attracts attention.
Thousands of Montenegres,A creature once known as the yellow sheep embarked on their adventurous migration from Mongolia.
These precious Class I protected animals are not bound by borders and their destination is Arshan City in Inner Mongolia, China.
This annual migration is not only a cross-border journey for the MontenaIt is also necessary for survival.
If they can't reach their cold habitat in time,Their populations can face serious existential threats.
Arshan welcomes these special guests every winterBut this year's situation is particularly striking.
Tens of thousands of Montenegre gather together, which is a very rare sight.
Their arrival is not only a spectacular display of the natural world, but also an important test of transnational wildlife conservation efforts.
Montenegre, an antelope species belonging to the genus BovidaeIt is commonly known as the yellow sheep because of its distinctive yellow fur.
This animal is distinguished by its distinctive summer orange-yellow back and yellow-brown body side colorIts belly and rump are white, and its tail is darker.
In winter, their coat color becomes lighter.
In terms of body size, the Montenean antelope is more robust than the Przewalski's gazelleBody length ranges from 1 to 1Between 6 meters, the height at the shoulder varies from 54 cm to 84 cm, and the weight is between 25 and 45 kg.
The length of the horns of the male reaches 20 cmIt is in the form of bending upwards and then turning upwards, with the tip of the corner bending inward.
The corner surface is densely covered with annular transverse ridges, with no more than 23 rings.
In contrast, females have no horns and only a small bulge on their heads.
These animals have rounded and blunt heads, long, pointed ears, and are covered with dense hair.
Their tails are short, only 9 to 11 centimeters long.
The limbs are slender and athletic, the front legs are slightly shorter, and the hooves are narrow and pointed.
The Montena antelope mainly inhabits arid steppes and plains, and occasionally appears in semi-desert areas, but does not enter pure desert areas. They are also sometimes found in high mountains or valleys and have previously been found in the moist grasslands of the Tohoku region.
These antelopes prefer to live in groups and can form large herds of up to 6,000 to 8,000 when migratingIt is mainly to follow the seasonal changes in forage resources.
In winter,They migrate south to the edge of the weedy steppe and the southern desert steppe, sometimes even south of the Great Wall.
During their migration, they rely mainly on dead grass and snow to satisfy their hunger and thirst.
They use their hooves to cut away the snow when they come to restThen the whole group gathers in the shallow pit dug out and huddles together to keep warm.
In spring, the antelope begins to migrate northward.
Foraging in summer takes place mainly in the early morning and afternoon, and the staple food is grass, with occasional small foliage.
They can tolerate thirstSometimes they can survive without drinking water for several days, and occasionally they will go to the saltwater lake to lick the salt and alkali crystals in the lake.
In the hot midday, the antelope usually disperses into small groups to rest and ruminate.
When autumn arrives, they congregate into large flocks of thousands for their annual migration.
This process is led by an experienced male, and the rest of the team follows in an orderly manner.
Montena has an amazing jumping abilityIt can jump 6 to 7 meters on flat ground and up to 13 meters on downhill slopes.
They run extremely fast, reaching a top speed of 90 kilometers per hour.
The normal running speed is 75 kilometers per hour and can run for 1 hour.
Their strategy of evading predators is unique.
When threatened, the Montenegre will not run away immediatelyInstead, they will first stare at each other, then start running, and look back after running for a while, as if defiant.
This behavior of turning back while running,It has even attracted the attention of other wild animals, such as silly roe deer, who love the same movements, but such professional behavior is not suitable for imitation.
In China, the Montenese is regarded as a precious protected animalBut in neighboring countries such as Russia and Mongolia, the fate of this antelope is very different.
In these countries, the montorelle is considered a pest animalBecause they compete with livestock for pasture resources, they are not welcome, and some areas even reward them for killing them.
Although the veracity of this claim is yet to be verifiedBut the low level of buying the montana from hunters suggests a lack of attention to the conservation of the montana in these areas.
In the central and western parts of Mongolia,Due to overhunting, fencing restrictions and grassland reclamation, the population of the Montenian antelope has largely disappeared.
In Russia, the situation with them is no less dire, the population is on the verge of extinction.
In China, although the Montenegre is protected by lawBut they also face multiple threats, including disease, harsh winters, hunting, agricultural expansion and overgrazing.
Estimates for 2005 show that over the past 10 years,The population fluctuates between 400,000 and 2.7 million and is mainly found in the eastern, central and western grasslands of Inner Mongolia.
Some of these smaller populations migrate to China during the winter, with up to 25,000 individuals migrating at a time.
Today, the Mongolian antelope in China is only found in the central and eastern regions of Inner Mongolia.
Their range has shrunk to 25 per cent in the 1950s-1970sThe number dropped from 2 million to 250,000, of which only 8-850,000 live in China for a long time, and the rest are cyclical international migrants during the winter months.
Also under threat is China's endemic Przewalski's gazelle.
The Przewalski's gazelle is smaller in size than the Montenburghian antelopeThe body length is about 11 meter, 50 cm high at the shoulder, weighs about 15 kg, and has a short tail.
Their summer fur is short and shinyIt is sandy yellow with a slight reservoir color, and the abdomen and limbs are white, and the rump spots are also white.
In winter, the coat color turns brownish-yellow or creamy white.
Horn length 30 cm,Slightly longer than the 20 cm horn of the montous, the lower half of the horn is stout, and the end is hooked.
Przewalski's gazelle was once widely distributed in Qinghai, western Inner Mongolia, southeastern Xinjiang, northern Gansu and Ningxia.
Now, they are mainly concentrated around Qinghai Lake.
They inhabit the flat semi-desert steppe zone below 3,400 meters above sea levelAvoid higher mountains and pure Gobi regions.
Przewalski's gazelles also migrate seasonally in groups.
In winter, they migrate south in groups in search of abundant vegetation, thin snow and water, and return to the north in summer. They are agile but have less developed hearing and vision, making them very alert.
Fortunately, with the deepening of the ecological protection of Qinghai LakeWith the establishment of national parks, as well as a series of wildlife rescue projects and the implementation of community co-construction and co-management measures, the population of Przewalski's gazelle has been effectively protected.
The migratory behavior of yellow sheep is part of its survival strategy and adapts to changes in the ecological environment.
Yellow sheep mainly inhabit arid and semi-arid areas, such as grasslands, grasslands, plains, and semi-desert areas.
The climate of these regions is characterized by warm summers and harsh wintersIn particular, the highlands of Mongolia have extremely harsh winters.
In search of a more suitable living environment and food**, the yellow sheep choose to migrate south in winter.
One of the reasons why yellow sheep migrated to China was because of food resources.
In Mongolia's native habitat, severe winters cover grasslands with thick snow and food resources become scarce.
In contrast to the Inner Mongolia region of China,In particular, the grasslands around Arshan provide abundant food resources even in winter.
The climate here is relatively mild, and the snow cover on the meadows is thin, making it easier for yellow sheep to find food.
Another reason for the migration of yellow sheep to China is to escape the extreme weather.
Winters in Mongolia are not only cold but also windy, which is a big challenge for the yellow sheep.
Strong winds and low temperatures in winter can cause hypothermia in yellow sheepThe lack of food also makes it difficult for them to store enough energy to withstand the cold.
Migrating south to China's Inner Mongolia region was a more suitable choice for Yellow Sheep.
The migration of yellow sheep is also the result of biological evolution.
For a long time, the ancestors of yellow sheep migrated to adapt to environmental changesThis behavior gradually became part of their survival strategy.
This seasonal migration not only helps them escape the harsh winters, but also helps them reproduce and expand their populations.
Although the migration of yellow sheep seems to be a manifestation of natural instinctBut this also reflects the impact of environmental change.
Factors such as climate change, habitat destruction and human disturbance have affected the migration routes and living environment of yellow sheep.
The migration of yellow sheep is also a response to these environmental changes.
The migration of yellow sheep to China for the winter also raises important considerations for ecological protection.
As a species that migrates across borders, the conservation of yellow sheep requires cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
Protect their migration routes and habitatsIt is not only important for the yellow sheep itself, but also an important part of biodiversity conservation.
The reason why the yellow sheep chose to come to China for the winter is because it provides more suitable climatic conditions, abundant food resources and a safer habitat.
This migration is an important way for them to adapt to their environment and ensure the survival of their populationsAt the same time, it also reflects the importance and challenges of wildlife conservation under the current ecological environment change.
In the vast nature, the yellow sheep seem to be light dancers on the grassland.
Their jumping figures are like a moving picture, showing the endless charm of the natural world.
The dance of these lives is under threat, and their living conditions are becoming more and more difficult.
Protecting the yellow sheep is our commitment and responsibility to nature.
Imagine being able to witness yellow sheep running freely across the grasslands in a tranquil sanctuary, living in harmony with nature.
Such a scene is not only beautiful, but also full of hope.
The establishment and maintenance of these protected areas is a safe haven for yellow sheep.
The task of protecting the yellow sheep is not far away, and everyone can contribute to it.
By learning Xi and sharing the knowledge of Yellow Sheep, we have enhanced our understanding and care for them.
Getting involved in conservation activities, such as volunteering for wildlife monitoring or supporting conservation projects, is something we can do.
International cooperation is also an integral part of the conservation of yellow sheep.
Communicate and collaborate with animal protection organizations around the worldNot only can it bring new conservation concepts, but also work together for the future of Yellow Sheep.
Protecting the yellow sheep is actually a manifestation of our harmonious coexistence with nature.
Let our actions be as gentle as the wind, and give space and freedom to the yellow sheepWitness how these fairy spirits of the grassland thrive under our care.
This is not only the protection of the yellow sheep, but also the care and respect for our common home. Let's work together to let the yellow sheep dance freely in this world.
Yellow sheep can come to our country for the winterIt also reflects from the side that China's ecological environment has changed compared with before.
I hope that more and more small animal friends can come to live with us.