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Two new species discovered in Tibet

Xinhua, July 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Zoologists have identified two new species during a survey on wild land animals in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, according to the regional forestry authorities.

The researchers found a new type of Pallas pit viper in Jilung County and a new type of cascade frog in Zayu County. They were named after the location of their discovery, zoologist Liu Wulin told Xinhua on Thursday.

The families of the newly-discovered venomous snake and the frog are both endemic to Asia.

The scientists confirmed the existence of more than 20 endangered species, such as falcons and barking deer, in Tibet for the first time, Liu said. Their findings raised the number of recorded vertebrates in the plateau region to more than 800.

The survey showed that the number of Tibetan antelope and black-necked crane, among the best-known wild animals in Tibet, are on the rise.

A joint report by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, published in June, announced that the Tibetan antelope was no longer an endangered species due to effective protection.

The Tibet survey, starting in May 2013 and undertaken by more than 100 zoologists, is expected to be finished in 2016.

A similar survey between 1998 and 2001 enabled the local forestry authorities to get a clear picture about the populations, distribution and habitats of more than 80 protected species. Endi