High in the Pamir Mountains, where oxygen is thin and temperatures plunge, scientists from the Chinese mainland and Tajikistan are racing against time to protect one of the world's most iconic high-altitude species: the Marco Polo sheep. 🏔️🔬
Named after the 13th-century explorer who first documented them, these majestic creatures with spiraling horns are now at the heart of a groundbreaking cross-border conservation effort. Researchers recently tracked herds across snow-dusted ridges at 4,000 meters, braving icy winds to gather critical data.
"Every sighting feels like uncovering a living treasure," said Yang Weikang, a researcher at Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography. His team collaborates with Tajik scientists to map migration patterns and protect habitats in this Central Asian 'roof of the world.'
The sheep’s survival is a bellwether for the entire plateau ecosystem. By pooling resources and tech, both countries aim to create a blueprint for protecting biodiversity in extreme environments – proving science knows no borders. 🌐✨
