A Hidden Gem in the Hengduan Mountains 🌲
Imagine a place so remote that few outside conservation circles have heard of it… but inside, magic is happening every day. Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, founded in 2000 and upgraded to a national nature reserve in 2011, lies tucked into the Hengduan Mountains biodiversity hotspot in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
A Star of Conservation 🦚
This reserve was the first in the Chinese mainland created specifically to protect pheasants like the elusive Sichuan Partridge. With over 400 individuals—about one-fifth of the global population—calling Laojunshan home, the reserve is officially the Hometown of the Sichuan Partridge as named by the China Wildlife Conservation Association!
More Than Just Birds 🐼🐾
Beyond the partridge, Laojunshan shelters giant pandas, red pandas and more than 370 other vertebrate species. It's proof that focused efforts on one species can uplift entire ecosystems, from lush forests to fast-flowing mountain streams.
Quiet Progress, Big Impact 📸
This autumn, a select group of photographers gained rare access to Laojunshan, capturing intimate moments with its wildlife. Their stunning images remind us that some of the most important conservation stories unfold far from the spotlight.
Looking Ahead 🌍
In recent years, the Chinese mainland has strengthened its science-based conservation strategies—expanding protected areas, boosting wildlife monitoring, and restoring native habitats. As Laojunshan shows, these quieter strides are vital for species like the Sichuan Partridge, whose survival depends on dedicated efforts in these hidden wilds.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
