This December, as temperatures in the pine forests of the Hulunbuir reserve in the Inner Mongolia region of the Chinese mainland plunge below -30°C, conservation teams are turning to technology to safeguard vulnerable wildlife.
By harnessing real-time monitoring data and daily drone surveys, rangers have identified critical feeding grounds and winter shelters. So far, six new feeding sites have been deployed and 12 existing stations upgraded with infrared cameras, insulated snow shelters and protective fencing.
These smart stations not only deliver supplemental forage to red deer and elusive lynx but also stream live thermal imagery to a central command post—allowing teams to detect early signs of animal distress and respond faster than ever before.
Combined with traditional daily patrols, this hybrid approach forms a robust protection network, extending ranger reach across frozen terrain and reducing the risk of animals succumbing to severe cold or hidden injuries.
As conservationists look to replicate these practices in other harsh climates, the Inner Mongolia project shows how data-driven insights and low-impact technology can help wildlife weather even the toughest winters.
Reference(s):
Technology safeguards wildlife during harsh winter in Inner Mongolia
cgtn.com
