Wen Chujun has installed an infrared camera in a wooded area on Wutong Mountain, located in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. In early April, as part of a biodiversity survey, a team from the Luohu bureau of the Ecology and Environment Bureau embarked on an expedition into the forest, which is the highest peak in Shenzhen. They strategically placed four infrared cameras throughout the forest, designed to activate upon detecting heat.
In September, the team retrieved data from the cameras and began analyzing the footage last month. To their excitement, they discovered images of a wild Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). This sighting marks the first documented observation of this elusive species in Shenzhen’s Luohu district in over three decades.
Technical adviser Huang Qin expressed delight at the finding, stating, “It was a pleasant surprise for us. It’s evidence of the effectiveness of our environmental conservation efforts in the area.”
This remarkable discovery underscores the success of ongoing conservation initiatives and highlights the potential for thriving wildlife in urban areas. The presence of the pangolin, a species known for its vulnerability, not only enriches local biodiversity but also emphasizes the importance of continued efforts towards environmental protection. As urbanization progresses, such findings inspire hope for the resilience of nature and the positive impacts of concerted conservation actions.
In summary, the sighting of the pangolin represents a significant win for biodiversity conservation in Shenzhen and serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and the maintenance of natural habitats.