Posted 2017/8/16
As a rare species of wild animals exclusively existing on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, Tibetan antelope belongs to Grade I animal under state protection and is listed as an endangered species in 2000. They are mainly distributed in Qinghai, Tibet and Xinjiang Province, with the existing number being 70,000-100,000. Tibetan antelope is featured by henna back and sandy beige or hoar belly. Male adult Tibetan antelope is characterized by black face, black spots on legs, and harp-shaped horns on the head which are for enemy resisting purpose. Female Tibetan antelopes do not have horns. The under hair of the species is extremely soft.
Tibetan antelope is dubbed as “Fairy on the Plateau” and the main cluster area for the species, Kekexili in Qinghai Province, is deemed to be a “Forbidden Zone for Living Creatures”. The plateau is 4000-5000m above sea level, featuring rarefied air and sparse plants and is hard for human and many sorts of animals to survive. However, the Tibetan antelope not only can survive the harsh condition but also is able to scamper without stop for 20-30 kilometers at 60km/h under this anoxic environment. Tibetan antelope has the fastest scamper peed among the animals on the plateau. Galloping Tibetan antelopes in group have become a common yet spectacular sight there, and they are popular with the Zang people with their powerful life, swift speed and docile temperament. In Tibetan Buddhism there is a human-body Tibetan antelope-head god which is worshipped by the Zang people and plays an important role in the Tibetan culture. urrently, the gravest threat confronting Tibetan antelopes comes from the large-scale illegal hunting for the purpose of acquiring their under fair. The movie Kekexili with a theme of Tibetan antelope protection has drawn enormous response from around China, which is embodied by the establishment of Tibetan antelope salvation fund directing at raising money for the protection zone.
Furthermore, Tibetan antelope has become the mascot (Fuwa “Yingying”) of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, since its powerful life and constant sprinting spirit under harsh environment are a good representation of the Olympic spirit — Higher, Faster and Stronger.
