Xining, 4 Feb (Xinhua) -- A few days ago, this reporter followed the Hoh Xil Forest Public Security Bureau of the Qinghai Provincial Public Security Department Forest Police Corps to patrol the mountains of Hoh Xil. Along the way, herds of Tibetan antelopes often break into our field of vision. In a no-man's land where the temperature is as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, how can the Tibetan antelope keep out the cold? And how do you eat?
The mountain patrol team told reporters that the fluff on the Tibetan antelope is not only soft and soft, but also has extremely high cold resistance, which is also an important "magic weapon" for them to survive in extremely cold weather.
Caiwen Dorje, a member of the Hoh Xil Mountain Ranger, breastfeeds rescued Tibetan antelope cubs at the Sonam Dajie Conservation Station (photo taken on January 18). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Hongxiang.
As the flagship species of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Tibetan antelope has an elegant body and fast movements, and is known as the "Plateau Elf". At present, it is distributed in Qiangtang, Altun Mountain in Xinjiang, Hoh Xil in Qinghai and other places. In summer, female Tibetan antelopes travel thousands of miles to Zhuo Nai Lake in Hoh Xil to give birth.
It is understood that the diet of Tibetan antelope is mainly grasses and sedges. Due to the sparse vegetation of Hoh Xil in winter, they spend most of the day foraging.
When foraging in the wild, they are often threatened by predator species such as wolves and snow leopards. In order to escape and save itself, the Tibetan antelope moves extremely fast, running at a speed of up to 80 kilometers per hour.
A herd of female Tibetan antelopes waiting to give birth on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway on their way to Zhuo Nai Lake in Hoh Xil (photo taken on May 29, 2023). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Hongxiang.
Although the temperature is low in winter, for Tibetan antelopes, winter is a romantic "love period". Starting in November, male Tibetan antelopes compete with each other, and only the victor has the right to mate. In the summer, the female Tibetan antelope will set off from their habitat to the hinterland of Hoh Xil, such as Zhuo Nai Lake and Sun Lake. It would be a different kind of lively and vibrant scene.
This period is also the most dangerous time for female Tibetan antelopes. In addition to the rigors of the long migration journey, they also have to hide from predators. At this time, the rangers often help injured or separated Tibetan antelope babies in the wild, which is also an important part of their duty.
On July 27, 2023, a herd of Tibetan antelopes moved in Hoh Xil. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Hongxiang.
Nyima Tashi, a member of the mountain patrol team, has been patrolling the mountains for more than 20 years since he came to Hoh Xil in 2000. During this period, he witnessed countless migrations and transformations of life. For him, although he patrols the mountains in no man's land all the year round, he can see the toughest and most beautiful appearance of life.
Every time I see Tibetan antelope mothers migrating thousands of miles for their cubs, I am very moved. It was the most beautiful scenery we saw in Hoh Xili. Nima Tashi said.