Chongqing- Wildlife habitats and species in Chongqing have been effectively protected, which has allowed them to grow in numbers during the process of natural restoration.

The Chongqing Municipal Forestry Bureau has made every effort to preserve the biodiversity of endangered wild animals and plant species through greater protection and research. 

Statistics show there are now over 800 species of wildland vertebrates in Chongqing, including first-level nationally protected animals such as the black langur, forest musk deer, big civet, little civet, Chinese goosander, and golden eagle. Second-level key protected species include macaques, black bears, ocelots, golden pheasants, and crested bee eagles.

Species of first-level wild vascular plants number over 6000, including ginkgo, thuja, metasequoia, yew, silver fir, and Davidia involucrata, while second-level varieties feature the nanmu, tulip tree, Lianxiang tree, and cibotium barometz.

‘Many rare and endangered wild plants and animals grow in areas with a good ecological environment such as forests. Therefore, an important measure is to establish and protect habitats for them.’ Introduced Wu Jing, Deputy Director of the Nature Reserves and Wildlife Conservation Department of the Municipal Forestry Bureau.

At present, the municipality has established a total of 218 nature reserves covering a total area of ​​about 1.269 million hectares, which accounts for 15.4% of the total land in Chongqing.

Chongqing is among the northernmost reaches for black langur habitats worldwide. The Jinfo Mountain National Nature Reserve has joined with scientific research institutions to develop genetic diversity, balance populations, conduct ecological research, and lower inbreeding for the protection of the first-level nationally protected species.

Dynamic round-the-clock monitoring of black langur activity shows their population has gradually recovered from fewer than 80 to the current 151.

Artificial breeding makes further breakthroughs.

Since 1958, the Chongqing Medicinal Plant Research Institute has carried out research on artificial insemination, wild habitat acclimatization, and environmental restoration in forests where musk deer live.

In the process, they have received multiple commendations for their work on technology for the artificial feeding and domestication of young musk deer and research on forest stocking technology, which has provided a solid foundation for musk deer to be released into the wild forest environment.

Arborvitae returns from presumed extinction

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) had once listed arborvitae among three endemic plants to have gone extinct in China. Later in the year 2000, an investigation team for nationally protected wild plants in Chongqing Municipality rediscovered a population of wild arborvitae in the Daba Mountains of Chengkou County.

The Dabashan National Nature Reserve has built upon sovereign achievements in cuttage research and breeding technology for arborvitae in recent years. It has set up a demonstration zone for the techniques involved. As a result, 150,000 arborvitae seedlings have been grown and reintroduced to their native lands.

Finally, the latest progress in research and cutting technology for arborvitae means that 80% of specimens grow roots, and 95% survive after being planted.