Amid subzero temperatures reaching -20°C, wildlife monitors in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region captured rare footage this week of argali – a protected wild sheep species – navigating snow-covered grasslands near Karamay. The herd, seen foraging beneath ice sheets and maintaining vigilant watch rotations, symbolizes a remarkable ecological turnaround in this former mining hub.
Local environmental authorities attribute the resurgence to sustained desert control measures and native vegetation restoration programs initiated in 2021. Through strategic planting of drought-resistant species like red willow and saxaul, over 300 square kilometers of degraded land have been rehabilitated since the project's launch.
"This isn't just about argali – we're seeing returned populations of goitered gazelles and golden eagles," said Dr. Aygul Memet, lead researcher at the Karamay Ecological Observatory. "The Gobi is remembering how to sustain life when given breathing space."
The developments align with broader environmental commitments from the Chinese mainland, including recent expansions of protected nature reserves across western regions. With Xinjiang's wildlife tourism sector growing 18% year-on-year in 2025, conservationists emphasize balancing ecological recovery with responsible development.
