Cameras capture hidden lives of rare animals

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

Video: Infrared cameras catch unexpected encounters in nature

Cameras positioned in the remote habitats of some of China's rarest wildlife have not only provided insight into the lives of endangered species, but also fascinated many online who've reacted in awe at the extraordinary scenes captured.

The cameras, tripped by movement, have caught such moments as marmots fighting and a pair of snow leopard cubs following their mother, and have provoked a strong reaction among netizens in China, raising awareness of wildlife conservation.

The videos, which were posted on the streaming platform Bilibili by Eco-Bridge Continental, a nongovernment organization devoted to the conservation of nature in China, have garnered views in their millions.

"Felines such as snow leopards, lynxes and Pallas's cats are the viewers' favorite," said Gao Chen, executive communications director of the NGO. "The cameras capture a sense of liberation and joy of those creatures living in the wild," he said.

Gao's colleagues, who are tasked with field surveys, typically spend one to three months observing and detecting wild animals in their natural habitats. They divide the survey areas into several grids and place one or two cameras in each to capture the wild animals' movements.