Przewalski's gazelle: national treasure on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

　　(Source: People's Daily Online)

　　BEIJING, Aug. 30 -- In 1872, an expedition with camels and horses organized by the Czar government set out from Beijing‘s Deshengmen Gate to the Qinghai Lake (historically known as Koko Nor) region for inspection.

　　For various reasons, the inspection ended in 1873, however 130 hide and skull specimens from over 40 species of mammals, up to 1,000 specimens from 230 species of bird, 70 specimens from 10 species of reptiles, 11 specimens of fish and over 3,000 specimens of insects were collected. Of those, there were skulls and hides of a breed of animal similar to "Mongolian gazelle" which was hunted by them. This is the earliest evidence of Przewalski‘s gazelle that has been uncovered.

Photo shows a Przewalski‘s gazelle. (Photo: 51tibettour.com)

　　Less than 300 rare Przewalski‘s gazelles left in China

　　Przewalski‘s gazelle is a typical small ruminant living in desert and semi-desert areas, and lives on grass, sedge and other desert plants. They eat many times a day but consume small quantities of food each time, and are very drought resistant. In the non-breeding season, same sex Przewalski‘s gazelles live in groups and migrate to areas with water and grass. Their rutting and mating season is in December and January. Female Przewalski‘s gazelles give birth in July, and their young are able to stand when they are just several minutes old. Young Przewalski‘s gazelles live and move with female Przewalski‘s gazelles until they become adults.

Photo shows a flock of Przewalski‘s gazelles. (Photo: 51tibettour.com)

　　Their body has a very elegant undulating curved shape when the animal is running. Relevant information shows that at present, the whole world has only three or four groups of Przewalski‘s gazelle living around Qinghai Lake in Qinghai Province. There are less than 300 Przewalski‘s gazelles in total, less than one sixth of the giant panda population.

　　Chinese name - China double-horned gazelle

　　Ge Yuxiu was the first man to photograph the Przewalski‘s gazelle. He is also known as the "father" of Przewalski‘s gazelle. Ge thought the Przewalski‘s gazelle was a gazelle species unique to China, yet it has a foreign name that is hard to pronounce. This has long been the subject of attention. A few years ago, on the basis of research and analysis by experts, Przewalski‘s gazelle was renamed "China double-horned gazelle" by Ge.

Photo shows a Przewalski‘s gazelle and a man. (Photo: 51tibettour.com)

　　It is satisfying that the name "China double-horned gazelle" has repeatedly been used by China‘s various major media agencies. The central government also invested over 70 million yuan to launch a protection project for the wild population of "China double-horned gazelle." The fifth Tour of Qinghai Lake international cycling race has also selected the "China double-horned gazelle" as its mascot.