With a trendy Mohawk hairstyle, snub nostrils, and plump pink lips, the Yunnan golden monkey, also known as the "Snow Mountain Elf," shines as the most dazzling pearl on the crown of Yunnan's animal kingdom. The Yunnan golden monkey is a rare and endangered primate species endemic to China and is classified as a national first-class protected animal. It is found only in a small area between the Lancang River and Jinsha River in the Yunling Mountains of the Hengduan Mountains on the southern edge of the Himalayas, at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Xizang provinces.

Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve is located within the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage site in northwestern Yunnan. Spanning the two major river basins of the Jinsha River and Lancang River, Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 2,821.06 square kilometers, making it the largest conservation area for Yunnan golden monkeys in China and the most concentrated region of their population.

On November 17th, the “Shangri-La of the World” themed reporting team visited the Research Center of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey in Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, to learn about the conservation efforts for Yunnan golden monkeys within the Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve.

According to Lai Jiandong, the head of Tacheng Wildlife Rescue Station within the Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve, the station was established in 2011. Its main responsibilities include conserving the exhibiting group of Yunnan golden monkeys in Xianggujing, as well as providing shelter, treatment, and management for injured and sick wild animals within their jurisdiction.

"Since its inception, Tacheng Wildlife Rescue Station has treated about 250 wild animals, including macaques, Yunnan golden monkeys, and golden eagles. Among them, there have been more than ten Yunnan golden monkeys. Most of these injured Yunnan golden monkeys resulted from fighting or accidental falls. Once discovered, the rescue station promptly provided timely care. The success rate of rescue and treatment for these promptly discovered Yunnan golden monkeys is relatively high," said Lai Jiandong. He further noted that the Yunnan golden monkey population within the jurisdiction of Tacheng Wildlife Rescue Station has been consistently increasing at a double-digit rate each year. This year, the exhibit area welcomed 12 newborn Yunnan golden monkeys, though one did not survive due to the rainy season. The remaining 11 monkeys are in good health, bringing the total number within the exhibit area to over 80.

According to Lai Jiandong, in the early years of its establishment in 1983, Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve had only identified two populations of Yunnan golden monkeys in the Weixi area, with an estimated total of around 800 individuals. In 2004, eight populations comprising approximately 1,200 monkeys were discovered during the first scientific survey of the area. After four decades of relentless efforts by successive generations, the reserve has witnessed the growth of Yunnan golden monkey populations to 14, with an estimated total of around 3,000 individuals. In addition, other wildlife and plants within the reserve have also been well-established. In 2018, the reserve captured the first-ever footage of the national first-class protected animal, Panthera pardus, utilizing infrared camera technology.

With the continuous improvement of management levels in Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve, advanced technologies have been consistently employed to monitor Yunnan golden monkeys. During the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the reserve introduced a 5G millimeter-wave network transmission system, enabling real-time monitoring of the Yunnan golden monkey. This technological advancement facilitated the live streaming of the Yunnan golden monkey during the conference, achieving remarkable exhibition results.

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(Editors: Ines, Lexi)