Shenzha County, Tibet: A Paradise for Wildlife

Shenzha County in Tibet is a paradise for wildlife. Driving from Shigatse through Namling County and entering Shenzha County, you can spot Tibetan antelopes by the roadside. Thanks to effective conservation efforts, their population has grown from just over 10,000 a decade ago to more than 20,000 today. In Lhoktang, Maiba Township, a key breeding ground for Tibetan antelopes, you'll encounter large herds gathered in concentration. At Cuoe Bird Island, Dongre Monastery, and along the road to Mayue Township, you can observe vast numbers of birds. Especially when passing through wetlands, you may see black-necked cranes, a nationally protected Class I species. Right next to Shenzha County town lies a wetland, home to a famous pair of black-necked cranes named Gaogao and Lili. Most remarkably, the hot springs in Shenzha County are also home to the rare Tibetan hot-spring snake, considered the highest-altitude living snake species. These endangered reptiles rely on geothermal heat around the hot springs to maintain their body temperature. Although local ecological protection is excellent, visitors must follow certain rules to help preserve this environment. Issues like tourists chasing Tibetan antelopes by car or getting too close to Bird Island require everyone's cooperation to protect this fragile ecosystem.