Great migration of Tibetan antelopes

Tibetan antelopes pass the grassland in Hoh Xil Nature Reserve on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Photographers followed the Tibetan antelopes during their migration July 24 – 27 through the reserve on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on their way to Sanjiangyuan area in Northwest China’s Qinghai province, a source of three great rivers: Yellow River, Yangtze River and the Lancang River. Each June, female antelopes will start the trip of more than 600 kilometers, migrating from Sanjiangyuan to Zhuonai Lake in Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, to give birth to their litter and then turn back to Sanjiangyuan after about a month’s rest. It is still unknown why the antelopes migrate to give birth. Tibetan antelopes, a first class national-level protected animal, live on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at an average altitude of 4,600 to 6,000 meters. China once had millions of Tibetan antelopes, but excessive hunting and human encroachment caused their population to plummet in recent decades.[Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Tibetan antelopes cross Qinghai-Tibet Road on their way back from Zhuonai Lake in Hoh Xil Nature Reserve to Sanjiangyuan area in Northwest China’s Qinghai province, a source of three great rivers: Yellow River, Yangtze River and the Lancang River.[Photo/Asianewsphoto]