In early April, members of a biodiversity survey team from the Luohu bureau of the Ecology and Environment Bureau in Shenzhen embarked on a mission to explore the woodland of Wutong Mountain, which holds the title of the highest peak in the region. As part of their efforts to monitor local wildlife, they strategically placed four infrared cameras throughout the forest, designed to capture images triggered by warmth.
By September, the team returned to collect and analyze the camera data. A remarkable discovery awaited them: footage revealed the presence of a wild Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), marking the first confirmed sighting of this endangered species in the Luohu district in over three decades.
Huang Qin, the technical adviser for the project, expressed his excitement, stating, “It was a pleasant surprise for us. It’s evidence of the effectiveness of our environmental conservation efforts in the area.”
This discovery is not only a significant milestone in the documentation of wildlife but also a hopeful indicator of the success of ongoing conservation initiatives. It demonstrates that environmental preservation measures can yield positive results, contributing to the recovery of rare species in urban areas. The sighting of the pangolin serves as a reminder of the importance of nature conservation and the need to protect habitats that support vulnerable wildlife.