Rescue center offers safe haven to wildlife in Qilian Mountains

The Qinghai section of Qilian Mountain National Park has launched a wildlife rescue center recently to better protect its large variety of wild animals in Qilian county, Northwest China’s Qinghai province.

The section provides a habitat to hundreds of rare species. Among them are snow leopards, Chinese desert cats, white-lipped deer, Pallas's cat, black-necked cranes, blue sheep and brown bears.

Covering an area of 1153.59 square meters, the rescue center has built separate shelters for carnivores, herbivores, omnivores and birds, managing to accommodate 43 animals at its maximum.

In the past two months, the center has accepted a vulture, an owl and a Tibetan wild donkey who was found weak and vulnerable in the wild. The center has also received five baby animals including three Chinese desert cats, a blue sheep and an orphaned red deer.

"For the first time, the Qinghai section of Qilian Mountain National Park has its own specialized wildlife rescue center. With this center we can offer a more immediate response to the animals in need of help within the park," said Ying Hengqing, a veterinarian at the center.

In the future, the rescue center will take on more roles, such as wild animal breeding, scientific research and raising awareness of biodiversity.