The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is a crucial ecological security barrier for China, and wildlife protection is a key measure to strengthen this barrier. In recent years, all counties and districts of Lhasa have leveraged the unique ecological endowments of the plateau, focusing on priority tasks such as rare species conservation, habitat restoration, and collaborative social governance, systematically advancing wildlife protection efforts. Rare and endangered species including the golden wild yak, black-necked crane, and snow leopard have received systematic protection; wetlands and various natural ecosystems have continuously improved; and the city has achieved notable phased results in wildlife protection, painting a magnificent picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature on the plateau.

Lhunzhub County, as a core area for rare bird conservation, has made black-necked crane protection a centerpiece and strives to become a benchmark for wildlife protection in Lhasa. Each winter, large numbers of black-necked cranes arrive in Lhunzhub to roost and breed. Wetlands and farmlands provide excellent foraging and habitat conditions, creating a spectacular landscape of flocks in flight. Lhunzhub County has steadily advanced protected area development and wetland ecological restoration, promoting coordinated development of ecological protection and agricultural production. Many key nationally protected wildlife species are breeding stably, making the area an important species gene bank on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

Maizhokunggar County has established a full-chain protection system integrating rescue and care, monitoring and patrols, habitat protection, and community participation, strengthening law-based protection and continuously improving the standardization of wildlife protection. A multi-department emergency rescue mechanism provides timely and professional care for injured or lost wild animals, effectively safeguarding plateau wildlife. The county continues to implement ecological projects such as wetland vegetation restoration and water source conservation, optimizing wildlife habitats and providing stable, suitable environments for various rare species. Species monitoring and field patrols are strengthened, systematically recording wildlife activity information and continuously improving the biodiversity database.

Doilungdeqen County focuses on key challenges in wildlife protection, enhancing outcomes through special actions. The Nainang Valley Nature Conservation Community has been established, creating an important snow leopard habitat in Xizang. Based on wildlife activity patterns, joint patrols and trap-removal campaigns are conducted across core habitats and migration corridors, effectively clearing trapping devices and eliminating safety hazards. Continuous monitoring shows that rare wildlife populations in the area remain stable, and habitats continue to improve.

Damxung County prioritizes technological innovation to protect endangered species, addressing the difficulties of wildlife protection at high altitudes. In collaboration with research institutions, a golden wild yak breeding research base has been established, successfully overcoming technical bottlenecks in breeding rare animals at high altitudes. A modern germplasm resource protection and utilization system has been built, while local technical talent is cultivated to ensure sustainable protection technologies. The county also vigorously promotes wetland ecological restoration and monitoring station construction, enhancing wetland ecological functions to serve as important stopover sites for migratory birds.

The Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve, known as the "Lungs of Lhasa," is the world's highest urban natural wetland. As a key ecological barrier within Lhasa City, it has undergone continuous ecological restoration and systematic protection projects, establishing a comprehensive ecological governance system. After long-term conservation efforts, the wetland's vegetation communities have become richer, ecological functions have steadily improved, and it plays a vital role in water conservation, climate regulation, and ecological balance. The number of bird, mammal, fish, and other species and populations continues to grow, with many key nationally protected wildlife species inhabiting and breeding there, making it a model for biodiversity conservation in urban centers.

In recent years, all counties and districts of Lhasa have adapted measures to local conditions and implemented precise policies, exploring distinctive and effective approaches to wildlife protection. As a result, wildlife habitat quality has continuously improved, species populations have steadily recovered, public awareness of ecological protection has significantly increased, and the plateau ecological security barrier has become stronger.

Reporter: Kelsang Lhundrup

Translator: Zhi Xinghua

Review: Phurbu Tsering, Drakpa Wangchen