Wen Chujun, part of a biodiversity survey team from the Luohu bureau of the Ecology and Environment Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, recently captured a remarkable moment in the forested area of Wutong Mountain, the tallest peak in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. In early April, the team ventured into this woodland, where they strategically placed four infrared cameras equipped with heat sensors to monitor wildlife.
In September, the team returned to collect the data recorded by the cameras. To their delight, during the analysis of the footage last month, they discovered an image of a wild Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). This sighting is significant, as it is the first documentation of this endangered species in Shenzhen’s Luohu district in over three decades.
Huang Qin, the technical adviser for the team, expressed their 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 highlights both the potential for wildlife recovery in urbanized regions and the importance of continued conservation initiatives in protecting native species.
This positive development serves as a reminder that effective environmental efforts can lead to the resurgence of wildlife, even in areas that have seen significant human impact. It encourages ongoing investment in biodiversity conservation, which is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the survival of species like the Chinese pangolin.