Four-Clawed Tortoise Nature Reserve

　　  The Four-Clawed Tortoise Nature Reserve in Huocheng County was established in 1983 with approval from the autonomous region. The four-clawed tortoise is a Class I nationally protected rare animal. In China, it is only found in the desert hills about 150 square kilometers north of Huocheng County. It is one of only three species of land tortoises in the world. Locals call it the “desert tortoise,” while in Uyghur it is known as “Tashpak.” The four-clawed tortoise is a high-grade tonic that nourishes yin and yang. Its shell, meat, and bones can all be used medicinally to treat various ailments, making it highly valuable for traditional medicine. Its shell not only serves as a defensive weapon but also plays an important role in protecting internal organs, preventing body fluid evaporation, and regulating body temperature. The number of tortoises in the reserve has now increased from over 500 in the past to more than 2,000.