China News Service, Xining, February 7th: Title: Hoh Xil Tibetan antelope "Daddy" and his lamb
Author Sun Rui Ye Xituo Sha Lei
Hoh Xil is located in the west of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. The protected area covers an area of 45,000 square kilometers and has an average altitude of 4,600 meters. It is called the "Third Pole" of the Earth due to the harsh conditions of high cold and hypoxia.
At 6 o'clock in the morning, we set off from Golmud, Qinghai Province, crossed the Kunlun Pass, and finally arrived at the Hoh Xil Suonandajie Protection Station after a bumpy three-hour drive.
In addition to patrolling the mountains, the staff at the conservation station have also established a wildlife rescue center to rescue lone and injured Tibetan antelope cubs at any time. Therefore, the Sonamdajie Conservation Station is also known as the "Tibetan Antelope Kindergarten." Here, the mountain patrol team members transform into all-round "nanny dads", brewing milk powder, caringly feeding the animals, conducting wild training, and caring for the little Tibetan antelopes as they grow up.
The picture shows the cute Tibetan antelope cub. Photo by Ye Xicuo
Caiwen Dorjie, 31 years old, is an authentic Tibetan man. He is 1.7 meters tall, has a tough build, and is nicknamed "Antelope Nanny" by others due to his shy personality.
"Because it has been snowing heavily these past few days, our main patrol work is to rescue wild animals. Our usual work includes checking illegal intrusions, rescuing wild animals, picking up garbage, etc." Caiwen Dorje said.
In the summer of 2023, Caiwen Dorje discovered three "straggler" little Tibetan antelopes while patrolling the mountains, and brought them back to the station to feed and rescue them. He told reporters that when the three Tibetan antelopes first arrived at the rescue center, they had to be fed four times a day, and their mental status and defecation conditions had to be observed. After more than five months of careful care, the baby Tibetan antelopes have developed a certain ability to forage. They are currently being prepared for wild training so that they can learn to forage on their own, in preparation for their successful return to nature at the age of two or three.
The picture shows the Tibetan antelope's "daddy" Caiwen Dorje feeding the Tibetan antelope cub. Photo by Ye Xicuo
“These three Tibetan antelope cubs have become an important part of my life,” said Caiwen Dorje.
The Tibetan antelope is a first-level nationally protected wild animal in China. Every year from May to July, female Tibetan antelopes from the Sanjiangyuan of Qinghai, Qiangtang of Tibet, and the Altun Mountains of Xinjiang migrate to Zhuonai Lake in the hinterland of Hoh Xil to give birth.
"Baa... baa..." Following Caiwen Dorje's call, three little Tibetan antelopes ran quickly from the depths of the fence and soon surrounded Caiwen Dorje.
Caiwen Dorje knelt down to nurse and stroke the Tibetan antelope. After feeding, when the door was closed, a little Tibetan antelope poked its head out and "kissed" his cheek gently from the crack in the door.
In recent years, under the protection of Hoh Xil mountain rangers, the Tibetan antelope population in Hoh Xil has recovered from less than 20,000 to more than 70,000 now. There are also wild yaks, Tibetan wild donkeys and other animals galloping freely. Hoh Xil has become a wild animal kingdom. (over)