Animal Kingdom

Jiuzhaigou is noted for its striking difference of altitudes, complex landforms, abundant vegetation and largest areas of primitive eco-environment which offer ideal habitats for almost all animals. On the lake surface are wild geese and water birds; in the woods are birds and beasts. According to relevant authorities, Jiuzhaigou - the animal kingdom has about 300 wildlife species, in cluding 27 state-protected rare and endangered ones like giant panda, golden monkey, gnue, white-lip deer, black-neck crane, swan, lovebirds, red-belly golden pheasant, snow leopard, forest musk deer, and otter.

                                              Giant Panda
    Having lived for several million years, it is one of the oldest animals of the world that survived to date, being affectionately called the “living animals fossil.” Giant pandas live in very limited areas of china, and are regarded as the treasure of wildlife.

    The docile giant panda of Jiuzhaigou feeds on arrow bamboo twigs and leaves, and its clumsy and slow movement attracts and delights millions of people around the world. The move about, in daytime(16-18 hours), mainly in zechawa valley and Rize Valley , of jiuzhaigou. In winter, they will move down to places of Jiuzhaigou. In winter, the will move down to places of lower altitude, like Zhenggou Valley and Zharu Valley . Tourists, if fortunate, will find them on the banks of the Jianzhu(Arrow Bamboo)Lake and Xiongmao(Panda) Lake.

                                         Conquer the Enemy
    Although the panda moves about slowly, it has a very sensitive hearing. One its approaches, it will run away into nowhere promptly. The panda is also noted to have a set of ways to conquer its “enemy”. They often attack fierce beasts much larger than their panda will climb on the tree top and held a commanding position waiting for his counter-attack opportunity. The jackal is unable to climb and has to circle around the tree hungrily. When it becomes tired, the panda will jump down and take its combat position against the fatigued jackal. Oftentimes, the panda is the winter that tears apart the jackal with powerful palm.

                                           Sichuan Golden Monkey
    Of the three golden monkey species in the world, the Sichuan species lives in Sichuan ,Shanxi, Gansu and Hubei provinces, in coniferous and broad-leaf mixed forest. This agile animal belongs to the primate family, feeds on wild fruits, and lives in spruce and fir woods. A rare species endemic to china, particularly to Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Golden Monkey has a medium size, a blue face, brown neck, and golden body hair which is usually over 30cm , and an upward nose.

                                            Magic Monkey
    Sichuan golden monkeys live in groups, often dozens or even hundred of them for each group. The head monkey leads the group and enjoys services of several of its safekeeping guards that usually stand on some high spot for vigilance. When danger approaches, the guards will send out warning cries when the monkey group soon runs to hide.

    Experienced hunters of Jiuzhaigou are able to foretell the climatic conditions through their observation of golden monkeys. When changeable weather is coming, they become restless and aimless, screaming For quite some time, which means the pouring rain will befall. Due to their ability to "bring down rain and wind", people call them "magical monkeys."

                                              Swan
    With strong wings, it is a migrating bird that flies to the north in spring and settles in the south in winter. They inbabit on the lakeside or swamps, feed on aquatic animals as well as shells, fish and shrimps. Swans of Jiuzhaigou are mostly large-sized ones and cygnets.

                                             Lovebirds
    Endemic to china, it is small in size with flowery feathers and reddish brown peck. Around the orbit of its brown eye is a yellow-white ring. The tend to inhabit quiet places, such as on the lake surface or in secluded tree holes. The male and female always stay together, hence the name “lovebirds”.

                                   Songpan Naked Carp
    Without scales, it is small in size and grows and matures lowly. This alpine cold-water fish feeds on various kinds of food. The Songpan naked carp is a lucky species, lives solitarily in the Cuihu(Emerald) Lake , being regarded by local folks as the aquatic eidolon. It is a wonder that, only this naked carp, of all other fish, survives in Jiuzhaigou. In 1983, Sichuan Bureau of Aquatic Production and Dujiangyan Administration jointly conducted an experiment in the Jinghai(MIrror) Lake . They set free 55 trout but all disappeared one year later.

                                   Green-Thailed Pheasant
    A rare pheasant species in the world, it inhabits in alpine meadow shrubs or among rocks, at an altitude between 3000 to 4000 meters. As it feeds on a “fritillary corms, hence it is called the “fritillary cock”. And, because it sometimes secretly approaches the farmhouse or hunter's tent to eat their charcoal, it is also called the “charcoal cock”.

                                      Red-Belly Pheasant
    Endemic to china, it has large crown feathers dropping down to its neck. The neck feathers cover its shoulder, the color of which changes from golden yellow to rusty red with emerald-green spots. In heat, it erects its neck feather into something like a fan. This pheasant can be seen everywhere in Jiuzhaigou.

                                       Blue Eared Pheasant
    Blue and grey, it has crimson cheeks, with white feathers around the ear the neck's upper end, like a facial makeup of Peking Opera. What is marvelous is a pair of lucent feather dropping down from the neck. Endemic to china, it is a lovely fowl equally precious as the giant panda and golden monkey.