Strengthening biodiversity protection ＂Snow Mountain Spirit＂ Yunnan golden monkey population has steadily increased.

CCTV News:Yunnan snub-nosed monkey is a rare and endangered species endemic to China, and it is a national first-class key protected animal. Experts mentioned that Yunnan golden monkeys were not detected in Yulong Snow Mountain, but they were detected in nearby Laojun Mountain. Next, we will follow the reporter’s footsteps to visit the habitat of Yunnan golden monkey in Laojun Mountain.

Lijiang Laojun Mountain is located in Yulong County, northwest of Lijiang City. It belongs to the main vein of Yunling Mountain in the southern section of Hengduan Mountain, and has multiple identities such as national geological park, world heritage of three parallel rivers and scenic spots. Here, the geology and landforms are magnificent, and the forest meadows are connected. The beautiful Yunnan golden monkey lives in a virgin forest with an area of about 120 square kilometers at an altitude of about 3200 meters in the hinterland of Laojun Mountain.

Zhang Fang, Laojunshan Biodiversity Conservation Center, Lijiang City:There are two populations of Yunnan golden monkey in Laojun Mountain of Lijiang, one is called Jinsichang population, and the other is called Dapingzi population. Through our investigation for many years, the number of monkeys in Jinsichang has increased from more than 180 at the beginning to about 280 now, and there may be about 50 monkeys in Dapingzi.

Clouds steaming around, ancient trees towering, and pineapples hanging down are the portrayal of this forest. Yunnan golden monkeys are called "Snow Mountain Elves". Although they are famous for their "red lips" which are similar to human faces, their living environment is mostly far away from people and unattainable.

Zhang Zhixiang, Chief Expert of Forestry and Grass Science in National Forestry and Grassland Administration:Yunnan golden monkey’s requirement for vegetation is really special. It wants dark coniferous forest and usnea. Only in dark coniferous forest does a large number of usnea appear in virgin forest. In addition, there are broad-leaved forests in high mountains, and it is only in the misty environment that there may be usnea or this lichen, and it is mainly dendritic lichen.

Yunnan golden monkey is considered as an indicator species of forest authenticity because it only lives in virgin forest or virgin secondary forest with little human interference. The habitat they choose must be a world that is pristine, pure and rich enough, and many other species live and multiply freely with them.

Zhang Fang, Laojunshan Biodiversity Conservation Center, Lijiang City:More than 80 infrared cameras were installed, and Yunnan golden monkey, black-necked pheasant, yellow-throated pheasant, forest musk deer and other national key protected animals, as well as many rare and endangered animals such as yellow-throated mink, red panda, blood pheasant and white-bellied golden pheasant were monitored.