Other Animals of South-West China

By protecting Giant Pandas, we can help secure a future for all the species that share their habitat.

Giant Pandas have become a global symbol of conservation and act as a flagship species for the lesser known animals of the Mountains of South-West China.

There are 45 threatened species that appear in 'The Way of the Panda' book. Learn more about 12 of these animals that are also hiding in the Bamboo Forest at Adelaide Zoo.

 

Apollo Butterfly

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This elegant butterfly lives high in the mountains, and can even fly above the snow line. It is easy to catch as it flies slowly near the ground, and has long been prized by collectors.

 

Baikal Teal

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Once seen in noisy flocks of over 50,000 birds, males make a wot-wot-wot sounds and females emit a low quack. They are vulnerable to hunting as they live in large flocks on wetlands and arable land.

 

Bekko Tombo

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Found in old ponds in lowland hills, this golden-brown dragonfly has distinctive markings on its abdomen and wings. Filing in of ponds to build houses and factories has diminished their habitat.

 

Black-necked Crane

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These graceful birds 'dance' at any age to relive tension, attract a mate or avoid aggression. Dancing includes bowing, jumping, stick tossing, and wing flapping. The only alpine crane in the world, intensive grazing and pesticide has degraded their breeding ground.

 

Chinese Gifu Butterfly

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This large, colourful butterfly has a number of black stripes on its wings, which resemble the skin of a tiger. They have state protection in China, which is given to wildlife that is rare or close to extinction.

 

Chinese Monal

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One of the most brightly coloured pheasants, this stock birds uses its large bill to dig for food. Much of its habitat has been affected by overgrazing.

 

Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

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These social monkeys live in groups of up to 600 members. Like a ventriloquist, they can make a wide range of calls without making any facial movements. Agricultural expansion, especially outisde protected areas, has affected this species.

 

Longdong Stream Salamander

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Usually found under stones in the fast flowing, deep parts of the river, their four legs are so short their belly drags on the ground. They are over-collected for traditional Chinese medicine and food.

 

Red Panda

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Their long fluffy tail is used like a wrap-around blanket. Fur covers their entire body, even the bottom of their feet. They are hunted for their fur, especially their bushy tails from which hats are made.

 

Reeve's Pheasant

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The Guinness Book of Records 2008 states they have the longest tail feather of any bird, which can reach 2.4m! This spectacular bird was hunted extensively in the past for its long tail feathers, which were used as a decoration in opera costumes.

 

Snow Leopard

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This powerful cat can kill animals three times their weight. Their long powerful hind limbs help them leap up to 9 metres, which is times their body length! They sometimes prey on domestic animals, which has led to many deaths at the hands of herders.

 

Takin

takin

Their skin oozes an oily, bitter-tasting substances that acts like a natural raincoat in storms and fog. When threatened they will retreat to dense bamboo thickets and lie down. Although they have few natural predators, they are hunted extensively for their meat.

 

 

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