Over 100 rare orchids were recently discovered in southwest China's Yunnan Province, with exceptionally high value for conservation and research.
The orchids are located in Yunnan's Malipo County in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, and are believed to be the largest wild population in China.
Local forestry and grassland bureau technicians, along with experts from the Kunming Institute of Botany of Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified the orchids as Cypripedium subtropicum, which is under first-class national protection.
Mainly distributed in Yunnan, Xizang Autonomous Region, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the orchid grows in forests at an elevation of around 1,400 meters.
Due to its slow growth and strict habitat needs, it is considered critically endangered.
Rare orchid species discovered in southwest China's Yunnan
Enduring friendships between giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province has been captured in recently released footage, showcasing the success of the base's science-backed animal welfare practices.
Captured at the base's Moonlight Delivery House, Star Giant Panda Nursery House and No. 1 Giant Panda Villa, the video clips feature various pairs of same-age pandas joyfully playing and wrestling together.
The practice of housing same-age pandas together is a form of social enrichment, designed to promote interaction and behavioral diversity among individuals.
Panda enrichment refers to scientific conservation methods employed in captivity to enhance the welfare of these national treasures, meet their physiological and psychological needs, and encourage them to display more natural behaviors.
The Chengdu base is a world-renowned facility for ex-situ conservation, scientific research and breeding, public education, and eco-tourism. It is globally recognized for protecting and breeding endangered Chinese wildlife species such as giant pandas and red pandas.
Footage captures panda friendships at Chengdu base
