An increasing number of endangered Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys have been spotted in the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve on the northern slope of the Qinling Mountains, thanks to rigorous habitat protection measures.
With flattened noses and golden-colored furs, the monkeys under top-level state protection live in temperate forests of mountainous highlands. They can be found in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Hubei in southwestern, northwestern, and central China
"Since last year's monitoring period, the overall population of monkeys has been increasing. The number of newborn monkeys each year has been remaining above 30. We monitored over 260 monkeys last year and almost 300 this year. Moreover, the survival rate of newborn monkeys is quite high," said Zhang Chao, staff member at the Shuangmiaozi protection station, Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve.
The Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwestern Shaanxi Province is the northernmost outpost for the golden monkey. This vital habitat supports nearly 2,000 individuals, divided into 24 separate populations.
"The golden snub-nosed monkey is under top-level protection in China and a flagship species in Qinling Mountains. By protecting them, we can draw more attention to this species and then more efforts to protect their habitat. Engaging in ecological conservation is closely related to every one of us," Zhang said.
The Qinling Mountains, a 50,000-square-kilometer expanse in Shaanxi Province, are dubbed China's "gene bank," teeming with diverse plant and animal life.
Rare golden monkeys flourish in northwest China's nature reserve
