Visiting the habitat of ＂Snow Mountain Elf＂： The number of Yunnan golden monkeys in Laojun Mountain of Lijiang has increased to more than 330.

Yunnan golden monkey is a rare and endangered species unique to China. It is a national first-class protected animal. Let’s go to Laojun Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan to visit the habitat of Yunnan golden monkey.

Laojun Mountain in Lijiang, located in Yulong County, northwest of Lijiang City, belongs to the main vein of Yunling Mountain in the southern section of Hengduan Mountain, and has multiple identities such as national geological park, world heritage with three parallel rivers and scenic spots. Here, the geology and landforms are magnificent, and the forest meadows are connected. The beautiful Yunnan golden monkey lives in a virgin forest with an area of about 120 square kilometers at an altitude of about 3200 meters in the hinterland of Laojun Mountain.

Zhang Fang, Laojunshan Biodiversity Conservation Center, Lijiang City:There are two populations of Yunnan golden monkey in Laojun Mountain of Lijiang, one is called Jinsichang population, and the other is called Dapingzi population. Through our population investigation for many years, it is found that the number of monkeys in Jinsichang has increased from more than 180 at the beginning to about 280 now, and the number of Dapingzi monkeys is about 50.

Clouds are steaming and foggy, old trees are towering, and pineapples are hanging on the ground, which is a portrayal of this forest. Yunnan golden monkeys are called "Snow Mountain Elves". Although they are famous for their "red lips" which are similar to human faces, their living environment is mostly far away from people and unattainable.

Zhang Zhixiang, Chief Expert of Forestry and Grass Science in National Forestry and Grassland Administration:Yunnan golden monkey’s requirement for vegetation is really special. It wants dark coniferous forest, and only in dark coniferous forest can a large number of pineapples appear. In addition, there are broad-leaved forests in alpine areas, and the fog-filled environment is likely to produce usnea or lichens, mainly dendritic lichens.

Because they only live in virgin forests or virgin secondary forests with little human interference, Yunnan golden monkey is considered as an indicator species of forest authenticity. The habitat they choose must be a pristine and rich world, where many other species live and multiply freely with them.

Zhang Fang, Laojunshan Biodiversity Conservation Center, Lijiang City:More than 80 infrared cameras were installed, and Yunnan golden monkey, black-necked pheasant, yellow-throated pheasant, forest musk deer and other national key protected animals, as well as rare and endangered animals such as yellow-throated mink, red panda, blood pheasant and white-bellied golden pheasant were monitored.