Elusive leopard captured on camera in southwest China reserve

A leopard has been spotted for the first time in a section of a nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, suggesting that the elusive species has expanded its territory within the reserve.

While reviewing footage caught by the infrared cameras, staff at Nangunhe National Nature Reserve recently found images filmed in January showing a leopard with strong physique .

The leopard wanders with composure, while sometimes pausing to observe its surroundings.

Leopards in the reserve have been gradually expanding their movement range over several years. In 2019, footage showed three leopards traveling as a group in the reserve's Gengma area, where the they had not previously been known to visit.

The Nangunhe Reserve protects pristine tropical rainforests that serve as hotspot for biodiversity along China's border with Myanmar.

Iran and Oman held several rounds of talks in Tehran on Friday and Saturday over the Strait of Hormuz, with the two sides making tangible progress, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday.

Both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the common principles and specific operational mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, based on respect for the sovereign rights of the two coastal states, according to Baghaei.

He described the talks as productive with certain progress achieved, adding that the two sides will maintain consultations at both technical and political levels after the Omani delegation left Tehran on Saturday afternoon.

Baghaei also said that the current navigation status of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz remains unchanged.

The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) said that there are very few ships actually sailing across the narrow waterway, following renewed attacks on vessels since hostilities resumed on July 12 and 13, and there are at least 6,000 seafarers on hundreds of vessels stranded in the Strait.