31 January 2008
China to build permanent Tibetan antelope monitoring station
(Xinhua) Chinese officials have announced the establishment of a permanent monitoring station to watch Tibetan antelopes, or chiru, to safeguard the breeding of the endangered species. A number of wooden or brick-structured houses are expected to be constructed along the bank of Zonag Lake in Hoh Xil Tibetan Antelope Nature Reserve as of May to allow three to five forestry and veterinary staff to maintain a permanent presence in the area. More than 30,000 female Tibetan antelopes flock to the lake region between May and August every year and 80 percent produce their young there. Previously, researchers and anti-poaching patrols visited the area during the breeding season but they stayed in tents.