Tianshan had been known by kung fu fiction fans to be the home for endless generations of invincible swordsmen. Endowed by majestic landscape, this is the favored choice of movie makers for continuous sword clashing in midair as the actors hang down the cliff from suspended strings. Now Tianshan holds another Chinese treasure – the Ili Pika. I guess you can call this creature a teddy bunny. It is rabbit that looks like a teddy bear – a fantastic combination for cute.
There are less than 1,000 of these cute little teddy bunnies around which make them rarer than panda. These mammals are natives to the Tianshan on the mountain range in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China, says conservationist Li Weidong. Initially they were named Ochotona iliensis, in 1983. He estimates its numbers have declined by almost 70% since its discovery. "I discovered the species, and I watched as it became endangered. If it becomes extinct in front of me, I'll feel so guilty," Li told CNN.
The Ili Pika were 20 centimeters in length. They live on sloping bare rock faces and feed on grasses at high elevations. Global warming had affected their habitat. The altitude of permanent snow has risen in the Tianshan due to rising temperatures and receding glaciers. The teddy bunnies were forced retreat to mountain tops. Initially they inhabit at elevations between 3,200 to 3,400 meters. Now they have retreated to elevations of 4,100 meters. Li said.
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