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Qinghai's Aquatic Comeback: Scaleless Carp Thrive After Conservation Efforts
27 Jul
Summary
- Scaleless carp population rebounds to over 120,000 tons after decades of conservation
- Qinghai adopts holistic approach to protect interconnected "water, grass, fish, birds and animals"
- Iconic species like Tibetan antelope, snow leopards see numbers climb in Qinghai

In Qinghai province, the annual migration of scaleless carp (Gymnocypris przewalskii) in Qinghai Lake is a breathtaking sight. Once on the brink of decline due to overfishing and environmental degradation in the 1960s and 1970s, the population of this vulnerable species has rebounded to over 120,000 tons thanks to years of determined conservation efforts in the region.
Qinghai has adopted a holistic approach to protecting the interconnected "water, grass, fish, birds and animals" of the Qinghai Lake Basin, enacting laws and regulations to safeguard the delicate high-altitude ecosystem. This has not only sustained the scaleless carp's revival but also enabled the resurgence of other iconic species like Tibetan antelope, snow leopards, and Przewalski's gazelles across Qinghai's vast grasslands and mountains.
Today, Qinghai is home to a diverse array of 665 terrestrial wildlife species, 532 wild bird species, and 52 fish species, reflecting the province's long-term commitment to prioritizing ecological protection and harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.