In a landmark discovery for wildlife conservation, two Eurasian lynx have been captured on camera for the first time in Karamay's northern hills within China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The January 2026 sighting of these elusive predators – classified as a nationally protected Class II species – signals significant progress in regional ecological preservation efforts.
The lynx were observed navigating snow-covered terrain and resting in forested areas of the Junggar Basin, a critical desert-mountain ecosystem. As apex predators, their presence indicates improved habitat quality and successful biodiversity initiatives in northwest China.
"This sighting represents a watershed moment for Xinjiang's environmental stewardship," said local conservationist Zhang Wei. "Monitoring these lynx will help us better understand ecological balance in transitional zones between desert and mountain biomes."
The discovery comes as China intensifies wildlife protection measures under its 2026 ecological modernization agenda, with Xinjiang emerging as a key region for studying climate-resilient species adaptation.
