The wild camels that have long inhabited the Aqike Valley in Lop Nur, Xinjiang, have in recent years been increasingly disturbed by adventurous “travelers,” causing them to flee their “homes” and retreat deep into the Gobi Desert. To allow the wild camels to live peacefully, the authorities of the nature reserve have begun setting up checkpoints to intercept these uninvited human visitors.
The Aqike Valley, part of the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve, boasts rich desert vegetation and serves as a key habitat where wild camels come to drink, graze, and rest. However, it is also the mandatory route to the core area of Lop Nur. In recent years, numerous “travelers” have frequently trespassed. Disturbed by vehicles and human presence, the wild camels have gradually abandoned their familiar and fertile pastures.
According to the administration of the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve, in order to protect the living environment of the wild camels, the administration has set up warning signs at multiple entrances, along with several inspection checkpoints. Even so, some people still try to find ways to bypass the checks.
During the recent May Day holiday, the administration organized law enforcement officers, scholars, volunteers, and others to patrol the reserve. They successfully persuaded two illegal探险旅游 teams (21 vehicles and 58 people) to turn back.
The administration stated that patrols within the wild camel reserve will be carried out on an ongoing basis and appealed to adventurers not to enter the protected area.
Established in 1986, the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve spans 78,000 square kilometers and is located in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Hami Prefecture, and Turpan Prefecture of Xinjiang. It currently hosts a population of 500 to 600 wild camels.