In early April, a biodiversity survey team from the Luohu bureau of the Ecology and Environment Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality ventured into the lush forest of Wutong Mountain, the tallest peak located in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. This dedicated team strategically placed four infrared cameras in remote areas of the woodland that would capture movement triggered by heat.
When they returned in September to retrieve the data, they were greeted with an unexpected discovery: footage of a wild Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). This sighting is particularly significant as it represents the first documentation of this elusive species in Shenzhen’s Luohu district in over three decades.
Huang Qin, the technical adviser for the survey team, expressed the team’s delight, noting, “It was a pleasant surprise for us. It’s evidence of the effectiveness of our environmental conservation efforts in the area.” This discovery not only highlights the successful conservation initiatives being implemented but also raises hope for the preservation of biodiversity in urban settings.
The find emphasizes the importance of ongoing environmental efforts and could serve as a catalyst for further protective measures for endangered species in the region. This incident underscores the delicate balance between urban development and the conservation of native wildlife, inspiring a collective commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage.