LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Society

Wildlife species face extinction in Xinjiang

1
2016-01-04 16:25Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping

Many types of wildlife are facing extinction in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to a new report.

The Red List of Xinjiang's Vertebrates revealed that 16 types of vertebrates in the region are near extinction or are critically endangered.

According to the list, mustangs and saigas are already extinct in the wild, while white storks and stenodus leucichthys, a freshwater whitefish, are facing regional extinction. Another 12 species are critically endangered, while 40 other species are endangered.

Compiled by the wildlife and wetland research center under the Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, the red list is an assessment of the conservation status of Xinjiang's biological species based on the standards of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies species into nine groups, with "extinct" being the most severe, followed by "extinct in the wild." The criteria are based on factors such as rate of decline and population size, among others.

Some wild animals like the Gobi Argali sheep were labeled "endangered" in 2004, but now they are classified as "critically endangered," according to Cai Xinbin, an official with the academy.

Xinjiang boasts rich biodiversity, with 731 types of vertebrates found in the region, or 10 percent of the country's total. It is also home to some of the most ancient species, such as the Xinjiang Salamander.

Wildlife has been threatened by human activity, pollution and climate change in recent years.

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.