American naturalist's story of Tibetan antelopes

　　"In the beginning, I didn‘t know what this pashm was used for, but later I found it was westerners‘ craze on shahtoosh that resulted in the tragedy of this animal."

　　"Fortunately, the Chinese government has taken effective action to fight poaching and saved large number of the animal."

　　"Most of their habitats have been listed national-protected area. It‘s really a great achievement China has made."

　　Photo shows Schaller and members of Tibetan antelope protection team. (Photo Source: China‘s Tibet)

　　In November 2006, his team made an observation along both sides of the newly-built Qinghai-Tibet Railway and discovered the animals wholly unaffected in their life by the daily noisy trains rushing by.

　　"Obviously, they thought it was safe there," Schaller added, "Before the railway was built, designers had planned several passages beneath for the free migration of the animals. There, they can freely move about without difficulty."

　　Schaller has witnessed the tremendous changes taking place in Changtang in the past 20 years. "Changes can be found everywhere in Tibet, in wildlife‘s population, in local culture, in people‘s mind and government policies."

　　In 1991, Schaller paid a visit to herdsman Puqung Nalha and his family, who lived in a tent, leading a typical pastoral life. "In 2003, I visited him again. His life was completely different. He had built three brick houses on the grassland, and bought a motorcycle and a truck," Schaller recalled.

　　Photo shows the charming view of a pasture on the Tibet Plateau. (Xinhua Photo)

　　Government policy stipulates that pastures distributed to herdsman households could be enclosed with enclosures. But in order not to disturb their grazing, calving and migration, residents in Cuochi Village have shown their love and voluntarily spared large pieces of grassland for the inhabitation of antelopes and wild yaks.

　　"Religious belief and ecological vision have made them know that their future and livelihood rely upon how they treat grassland and all creatures -- that is, to respect and care for their environment and to be compassionate."

　　Famous Tibetan Buddhist pilgrim Milarepa once called for mercy for all living life, "as it is a real devout deed."

　　In Schaller‘s eyes, such understanding and concern may create a bright future for the Tibetan antelopes -- the national treasure for China and the world.