Wen Chujun and his biodiversity survey team from the Luohu bureau of the Ecology and Environment Bureau in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, embarked on a remarkable expedition in early April. They ventured into the lush forests of Wutong Mountain, the highest peak in the region, where they strategically placed four infrared cameras designed to activate upon detecting heat.
Fast forward to September, the team retrieved and analyzed the footage from these cameras, leading to an exciting discovery. They captured images of a wild Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), marking the first sighting of this rare species in Shenzhen’s Luohu district in over three decades.
Huang Qin, the technical adviser of the survey team, expressed joy over the unexpected find, stating, “It was a pleasant surprise for us.” He added that this sighting serves as strong evidence of the positive impact of their environmental conservation measures in the area.
This discovery not only highlights the success of conservation efforts but also underscores the importance of ongoing ecological research in preserving rare species. It is a hopeful reminder that with dedicated efforts, the balance of local ecosystems can be restored, leading to the resurgence of wildlife that has long been absent from certain areas.
Summary: A biodiversity survey team in Shenzhen discovered images of a wild Chinese pangolin after setting up infrared cameras in Wutong Mountain forest. This marks the first sighting of this rare species in over 30 years, showcasing the success of conservation efforts in the region.