Highland Spirit Tibetan Antelope

Author: Xin Guangwu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: The remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is home to a precious wild animal, the Tibetan antelope. She brings life to the desolate plains and fills Kekexili with mystery and hope. This book takes you on a journey to the magical Kekexili, telling you about the auspicious highland spirit—the Tibetan antelope. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a magical place where the sun is closest to me. The white swan holds up the hada, and the Tibetan antelope greets the sun. Heyla Niso, Tibetan antelope, oh, the spirit of the highlands, you bring us good fortune! Listening to this song about the Tibetan antelope, we can't help but think of the towering Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, longing for the various wild animals that inhabit it, especially the endangered highland treasure, the Tibetan antelope. The Shan Hai Jing calls the Tibetan antelope the "Western Land's auspicious beast, 'Lin Yang'." Adult male Tibetan antelopes have a pair of symmetrical black-brown horns. From the side, the two horns overlap, appearing as one, earning them the name "Unicorn of the Western Land," considered a symbol of good fortune and prized both at home and abroad. The Tibetan antelope is currently only found on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China and is a unique and rare animal in the western part of the country. They primarily live in highland deserts where human activity is scarce, adapting to various environments at altitudes of 3,700 to 6,000 meters. Tibetan antelopes are agile and beautifully shaped. They run swiftly, appearing and disappearing without a trace. Especially on moonlit nights, their tall, shining horns resemble a treasure sword in the hands of a mountain god; at dawn, their noble posture as they stand on the icy plains is like a sculpture in full flight; and in the western sky's glow, their standing vigilance fills people with fascination and endless imagination. Tibetan antelopes prefer to live in groups, sometimes wandering beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Kunlun Mountains, and at other times, like clouds drifting over the sources of rivers. In winter on the plateau, Tibetan antelopes enter their breeding season, as majestic males lead their dozens of mates in chasing across the wilderness, playing and performing the annual symphony of life; when summer comes, millions of pregnant female antelopes trek across the snow, traveling from all directions to the "great delivery room"—the surroundings of Sun Lake and Zonai Lake—to give birth to their new generation. Kekexili is a mysterious and beautiful maiden, a kingdom for wildlife. It is also a paradise for birds and a place where mythical immortals are said to roam and gather. The remote "Third Pole of the World" has become animated because of the presence of the auspicious Tibetan antelope, and the cold, desolate wilderness has been filled with life. The serene shores of Sun Lake are now filled with mystery due to the presence of the spirit of the Tibetan antelope. However, in recent years, due to changes in the ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and human activities, Tibetan antelopes and their friends, such as wild yaks, wild donkeys, and Tibetan gazelles, have been forced to retreat to harsher, uninhabited areas, with their populations declining sharply. Especially the Tibetan antelope, whose soft and fine wool can be woven into luxurious and lightweight shawls called "Sha Tush," has become highly sought after in the international market. This has driven some greedy and adventurous people to cruelly hunt Tibetan antelopes. The fate of the Tibetan antelope and other highland wildlife has drawn great attention from our national government and international organizations, and the Tibetan antelope has been classified as a first-class protected animal. The Chinese government has also to protect the Tibetan antelope and wildlife. Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang have quickly established national nature reserves such as Kekexili, Qiangtang Plateau, Altun Mountains, and the Three Rivers Source. The ecological environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas has begun to improve and recover, and the habitats of Tibetan antelopes have gradually returned to their former tranquility. Let us together explore the enchanting Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, appreciate the beauty of these mysterious and rare creatures, and experience the grandeur of Kekexili. Let us get to know the Tibetan antelope and its companions, befriend them, and take on the responsibility of protecting the Tibetan antelope and improving the ecological environment of this region. For the progress of human civilization, let us live in harmony with animals.